Loading...
The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-12-13, Page 4TODAY'S CHILD BY HELEN ALLEN THE TORONTO ,cmk) SYNDICATE Kenny spent most of the summer at camp and loved it with the opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and hiking. He plays baseball, football, hockey and basketball, Just turned 11, Kenny has been in special education classes but has now moved into the regular Grade 5. He has a slight perceptual handicap which interferes a bit with his reading but does not otherwise seem troublesome. Though not a top student, Kenny likes school and is eager to learn. Kenny is a good-looking boy with blue eyes, blonde hair, fair skin and freckles. He is near-sighted and really needs glasses, but he hates to wear them so they are more often in the case than on his nose. Pleasant, co-operative Kenny is always ready to help with chores either at school or in his foster home. He is generally happy, with many friends. He follows rules well — indeed he seems happiest when life is planned so that he knows what the program is and what is expected of him. Kenny needs a mother and father with warmth and sensitivity who will give him love and encouragement but will not be demanding about academic achievement. Since he gets on well with children of all ages, he will like to have brothers and sisters in his adopting family. To inquire about adopting Kenny, please write to Today's Child, Ministry of Community & Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto M4P 2112. For general adoption information, please contact your local Children's Aid Society. IttliG6VCSSPOHI'S. imization uer-or. Suffer the parents The volunteer system is 'dead'," "We say, over-organization is worse than no organization at all. It's 'kill- ed' the spirit in many a community. And once dead, it's difficult to revive." Many communities in Ontario fall far short of the recreation activities provided in Exeter primarily because this town has an energetic and dedicated group of volunteers in many areas of endeavour. Perhaps some more consideration of the local program should be given before any major changes are undertaken. It would be indeed unfortunate if our extensive recreation program was destroyed by over-organization similar to that which has occurred in Markham. In view of the current discussion being conducted by Exeter's RAP and council, a recent comment in the Stouffville Tribune proves most interesting, It notes that recreation, or lack of it, is cited as the number one problem in the neighboring community of Markham, which the editorial notes is a rather remarkable finding in a public survey, "Unbelievable, we say, because Markham has one of the most organized recreation programs in the region (York region) with the cost exceeding by many times, the budget in Whitchurch- Stouffville," the comment continues. `But perhaps herein lies the problem, Their (Markham) recreation is so well organized, the incentive perhaps is lost, Parochialism the killer Nobody really knows what brought it about but Huron County Council boldly decided last Friday at their final session for 1973 to turn down the proposed plumbing bylaw which had received hours of study by the Board of Health and was the culmina- tion of much research by MDH Dr, Frank Mills and his staff. One of the main concerns may have been the fee structure which had been pur- posely designed to make the plumbing in- spection department self-supporting. One reason for the surprise defeat may have been a simple lack of understanding about the intent of the bylaw. Still another may have been something far less tangible - such as the possible poor timing of the presenta- tion by the Board of Health. Whatever it was - and nobody is really able to say for sure - the plumbing bylaw was defeated by members of Huron County Council. And to make the situation even more confusing, one of the opposition, Reeve Bill Elston of Morris, told Dr. Mills the county really wants plumbing inspec- tion and with a little more work to clarify the bylaw somewhat, it would probably pass at some later date. Dr. Mills' reaction was one of astonish- ment. He said he found it difficult to believe the county wanted the control the plumbing bylaw could provide or county councillors would have adopted the bylaw on the spot. While it wasn't a recorded vote on the subject, it appeared that the opposition to the bylaw came from the rural quarters of . • So 1 Said to Gromyko—Look here Andrei, it's about the way you treat your minority groups . . ." the county where plumbing inspection does, not carry the urgency it does in the urban areas. In municipalities such as Goderich, for instance, plumbing inspection is deemed absolutely necessary to protect would-be homeowners from the costly problems which often develop because of improper plumbing procedures at the time of con- struction. It is safe to say that plumbers in all parts of Huron County, and especially those in municipalities such as Goderich where building and development is constant and heavy, would welcome a plumbing bylaw. One wonders whether another possible reason for the veto on the plumbing bylaw might have been parochial thinking which has plagued county council for long years. If councillors are still unable to think beyond the borders of their own municipalities, especially on such impor- tant issues as plumbing, there is little wonder that the county system of govern- ment is being threatened. What's more, with the news that county council plans next year to take a closer look at the possible methods of restructuring for Huron, it is difficult to imagine that council members who cannot approve county plum- bing inspection for the good of all despite pressures from at home will ever be able to effect an amicable and meaningful attempt to restructure the county to the satisfaction of an impartial Queen's Park. —Goderich Signal-Star It's a complex situation At first I stood my ground. Not a penny, Let him starve in Houston. At least he won't freeze to death (he'd airily told his mother it was 90 degrees down there.) we note the father not only permitted his son to go to his probable destruction, he actually gave him the money with which to do it, This kind of permissive love is very difficult. Parents want to protect their children, to keep them from being hurt, not always because of their love for them, but because of the pain they suffer when their young are hurt. The prodigal eventually 'found himself' in the pigpen (as low as any Jewish boy could get) where Jesus says he 'came to him- self' . . ,. he looked himself in the face and was so disgusted with what he saw he picked up and headed back home. But remember it was in the pigsty that the revelation came. It',s a terrible risk parents sometimes have to take . . to let their children go unkempt, unfed and neglected in order that they will find themselves. When the prodigal returned home . , what then? The father's reaction was probably not what yours or mine would be. He brushed off the son's request for forgiveness because his love was so great, forgiveness wasn't needed to be asked for. There were no sermons about hoping you've learned your lesson and you'd better not let it happen again, Neither was there any mention made of dragging him off to church, or sitting around sentimentally embracing him. Instead, the father provided good food and clothes for the bedraggled, wayward rascal, and gave orders for a gigantic celebration to honor his son's return to 'life'. The father had no assurance, either, that his son wouldn't just get cleaned up, fed and rested and then decide to take off once more. We, as parents, are often put to this same test. It's costly love that almost breaks our spirits and our hearts. When Jesus told this story He was dipicting God as the Father whose love is freely given, is ever forgiving, and is unconditional even at cost of great suffering. What else can we do but follow His example is showing this kind of love to our wayward young who seem destined 'to go to the far country in order to come to themselves'. Jesus said, "Suffer the children to come to me", but I'm sure he also said, "suffer the parents to come, too," There's surely never been an age when parents, agonizing over their young, needed comfort and assurance so much as right now, It's true adults have always worried about the younger generation. Way back in 1274 a monk, Brother Peter, wrote, "Young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents, are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them." But regardless of this, no other generation has raised their young in a time of bloody highway killings through the use and misuse of fast cars and motor- bikes, in a time when alcoholic drinks, flowing freely, are at- tainable to even the youngest teenager. This is also an era when glue sniffing, the use of pot, speed and other drugs, along with free sex, are considered by many youngsters as the norms of the day. We stand in stunned horror as we watch many of them, who were trusting and lovable babies such a short time ago, turn into distrusting, sullen, illusive strangers with whom we can no longer communicate. Strangers, who to us, have no moral fibres, who live by codes laid down by their peers, themselves caught in some terrible trap of violence, dishonesty and a pathological disinterest in anything that would free them. In silent anguish we watch as they seem intent on destroying themselves while we pray they will somehow find themselves (as they are wont to say) before it's too late. The Bible speaks of the prodigal son going to a far country to a life of reckless and wanton living. But our kids find their 'far country' as close as Main Street or the next block. I'm sure it's more excruciating for to have to watch their prodigals hurl themselves to ruination than if they went away to do it. But there is much for us parents to glean from the Biblical prodigal story. In the first place, Do they ever grow up? Perhaps someone who has gone the whole course can tell me when one's children stop depending on their parents when it comes to the clutch. Is it in their forties, fifties, sixties? Certainly it is not in their twenties, Recently, we received a note from our son Hugh, to tell us he was taking some holidays and would be home for a few days' visit. I thought, "Good. He's saved some money and won't arrive broke, as usual." He had. Some days later, in a telephone conversation with daughter Kim, we learned that Hugh had dropped in to see her, and had drifted off, muttering something about going to Chicago. That is a slightly roundabout way of getting to our place. And a few days later there was a collect call from Houston, Texas. You guessed it, Hugh, flat broke. Could we wire him money for bus fare to get home? He was crafty enough to call when I was at work. I would probably have refused the collect call, and regretted it later. Or I'd have shouted, "No, I will not send you the price of one serving of Kentucky fired chicken", and slammed up the receiver. But he sweet-talked his mother for five minutes before he popped the question. She was not only affronted but taken aback and didn't think quickly enough to tell him we were just off to Florida or the west coast or anywhere. She waffled a bit, and even- tually said she'd see what his Dad said but not to expect anything. He sighed with relief and told her where to send the money. I came home from work on a Friday after a hard week. AU I wanted was to get my shoes off, have a quiet drink before dinner, and read the latest goodies about the energy crisis. And all I got was a family crisis, a. scramble to the bank, and a dash to get to the telegraph office before it closed for the weekend. terest, and he'll never pay if off. This has been happening to me for years. First, the kids go to their mother, and soften her up. Then she comes to me, and softens me up. Then I go back to the kids and practically apologize for being.so slow with the .loot. Of course, I reason, Hugh's only a kid. Practically a baby. He won't be twenty-seven until July. You can't expect him, at that tender age, to know enough to SAVE SOME MONEY FOR BUS FARE HOME! But that other kid. She's a different matter. She's almost a mother. And she pulled a swifty on us this week, Another collect call, on Sunday. Nice to hear her. Asked how big the tummy was. All very matey and maternal. Then came the punch line, Don, her husband, was on the way up from the city with their cat, to put in our care. He had to hitchhike because he couldn't bring the cat on a bus. Her mother nearly blew a cork. The danged cat isn't trained. So we have two additions to the household this week. Two fat cats. One in the back yard, yowling to get in. The other watching TV, sleeping till noon, and waiting to put the bit on me for more bus fare back to his job in Quebec. I shoulda been a cranky old bachelor. And she agreed with me. "He doesn't deserve a cent. He was told he was never to do that again. Ungrateful young pup. Why doesn't he hitchhike home?" "Well," I said, "some of those southern states are pretty tough on hitchhikers, Throw them in jail for a month," I could just see her thinking of her first-born slaving on a Georgia chain-gang or something of the sort. After a heated half- hour, we agreed that money isn't everything, that you can't take it with you, that he's the only son we have, that it would be nice to see him, and that I'l better hustle if I wanted to get to the bank in time. • It cost me about $115, counting the bus fare and grub to get home, the cost of the collect call, and the charge for sending the money. That's what I call sending good money after good. Of course, Hugh wouldn't dream of ac- cepting a gift. It was strictly a loan. According to his figures, he' now owes me $380.00, without interest, and will have the whole thing paid off anytime now. According to my figures, he owes me $880.46, at eight percent in- 50 Years Ago Mr. W. F. Abbott attended the Bee-Keeper's Association meeting at Toronto Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Warden B. W. F. Beavers was presented with a gold-headed' cane at the December session of the Huron County council. L.O.L. 924 has elected and installed officers for the following year as follows: W. M. , G. Davis; D.M., Howard Dignan; P.M., W. Lutman; recording secretary, G. MacDonald; financial secretary J. Bradt; treasurer; James Brintnell; chaplain, Rev. James Foote; first committee, W. Elliott. Mrs. Elmo H. HoWey has been successful in passing the junior examinations held at the Ontario College of Pharmacy, Toronto. Mr, Charlie Coward who has been in the west for some time, arrived home last week. that big fellow will attempt to take by force that which he desires. For that reason, Canada must be prepared to share with those less fortunate and Canadians must be prepared to conserve as much as possible for future generations — not only of this country, but the world. After all, as the John Atlas advertisementi suggested, the 98-pound weakling couldn't keep his beautiful gal when the muscle man decided to take her. Change that situation to one where the 98-pound weakling is trying to keep his natural resources from an extremely hungry or cold muscle man and you can see what happens. Canadians may want to turn thumbs down on the Americans, Japanese or whoever, when it comes to sharing our natural resources but it's a practice that can only be short-lived at best. Now, as far as coffee is con- cerned, we can all switch brands and be good Christians, but don't ever tempt our faith and dedication on anything that would result in hardships for us. Having started on a religious topic, we may as well finish, although as everyone knows, there's no such thing as an end to such debates, Fortunately, there are never any winners or losers ( tempters excluded) either. What brand of coffee are you drinking? That may not appear to be such an unusual question, but when it appears in the church bulletin, it takes on some sort of different connotation. First of all, readers of the bulletin were not actually being subjected to a new quiz, but the point was that they were being told that by buying certain brands of coffee they were in fact maintaining — or at least con- doning — the type of treatment Angola citizens receive while working at their country's coffee plantations. The church suggests we should choose other brands of coffee and thereby put some economic pressure on those who inflict hardships on workers. One of our fellow employees found it difficult to imagine how she could bring any pressure to bear on the situation by merely switching brands. However, there is no question but what a boycott of products would certainly help in many instances, although some of the firms which are subjected to boycotts appear to continue with no real hardships. For instance, the Farmers' Union and many university groups have a boycott against Kraft Foods, but the latter firm continues to function with no apparent difficulties. The point about such boycotts is that people will join them only as long as they do not suffer any personal hardships by so doing. For instance, can you imagine the church suggesting a boycott against Arabian oil if it meant that members would suffer hardships. No, the Arabs can do what they will and as long as other nations are dependent upon them for some vital supplies, there will be no economic boycotts. In fact, the situation is working in reverse. The Arabs have forced some countries to support their actions by threatening to cut off the oil supplies their trading partners require. Taken to a conclusion that is not improbable, it may well be that in the future the U.S.A. may have to change sides in the Middle East if they want to stay warm and drive automobiles. + + + The complexity of the situation points up the fact that as the world's natural resources dwindle, there may be some strange "bed partners" indeed in the future. Or it may well be that World War III will erupt as nations battle over the areas where such resources still exist. That is the folly of any "protectionist" policy for Canadian natural resources, We may save them for a few years, but as soon as someone bigger has been subjected to much suffering because of that policy, NIMOMMOSMOMPArliraRVIRMENWEigNEMEMAVIRMZESUINWAtinefergaragatagAWINS Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 taceleaimes-Abtocate SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W,N.A., 0.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC At any rate, the words of our, spiritual leader last week were that to enjoy Christmas more we should share that which we have with those who are less fortunate. It's a point well-taken, regardless of your religious af- filiations. There are many agencies in- volved in helping the starving around the world and your gift, — big or small -7- is always ap- preciated. The Batten family held a discussion on the subject after church and it was unanimously agreed that we could do without one gift this Christmas and give the money thus saved to the needy, We were pleasantly surprised that our offspring were so generous until We realized they had misconstrued the question. They were prepared to give up' one gift alright — dad's! Not exactly what we had in mind of course, but it's a start in the right direction, Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor -- Ross Haugh Phone 235,1311 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario second Class Mail Registration Number' 0386 Paid in Advance Cirdulation, March 31, 1972, 6,087 SUBSCRIPTION it AYES: Canada $9.00 Per Year; USA $11.00 ...A.„,mosemonamosiam 15 Years Ago Football teams at the J.A.D. McCurdy School, RCAF Station Centralia staged their own Grey Cup battle recently, complete with cheerleaders and majorettes. Sale of candy at the game raised $30 which Was donated to the Springhill Disaster Fund. A head-on collision about one mile south of Exeter on No. 4 Highway early Saturday killed four airmen and injured four others and was the worst in the district's history. First prize in the T-A's public school essay contest on "My Christmas Wish" goes, to Helen Cole of Exeter Public School who would like to have a wonderful party for orphans. First prize of $25 was awarded to Dinney Furniture for the best decorated store window for Christmas sponsored by the Exeter BusinessMen's Association. 10 Years Ago The new transormer station being erected near Centralia by Ontario Hydra's western region will provide a capacity of three times the present need and will cost $550,000, It is eXpected to be in service by October 1964. Dashwood Industries will Soon open its second plant at Mt. Brydges and plans to build a third one to be in production before 1964. Three of the key men planning the major expansion program are Sales Manager JIM Finnen, Vice-president Howard klumpp and President Maurice klumpp. Slightly over 22 inches of snoW has fallen on the area in the last five days. The biggest single fall was on Sunday when 11.7 inches fell, most of it in a Seven hour Stretch. An Exeter man at RCAF Station Centralia suffered a heart attack shovelling snow and died the same day. 25 Years Ago Leavitt's Theatre will donate the entire gross proceeds from the Monday and Tuesday showings Of "The slack Arrow" to the Exeter Hospital Fund sponsored by the Exeter Lions. The night classes sponsored by the Department Of Agriculture and held in the Exeter District High School each Thursday are growing in interest with 70 in attendance last week. On Wednesday, Rev. George Lamont, a son-In-law of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Strang, of town, was inducted into the pastorate of Knox Presbyterian Church, The county of Huron has purchased the antique display of Mr. Neill of Gerrie, This is the largest display of antiques in Ontario. It will be plated somewhere in the county, Mr, and Mrs, Russell Broderick, Joyce and Jerry left last week to spend the winter in Arizona. ttK.'