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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1974-01-03, Page 4Once a year ... thank goodness TODAY'S CHILD BY HELEN ALLEN THE TORONTO F:i1j1J\J SYNDICATE Billy, 8, wants to be adopted so he will have a family of his own. He is normally a happy boy with an agreeable personality. Anglo-Saxon in descent, he is sturdy and active, and has blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin, He is in excellent health and is doing average work in Grade 2, Billy enjoys sports, both as player and spectator. He plays hockey and baseball, and goes to many games to cheer on the' older boys in his foster home. He gets involved in camping. Inquisitive Billy wants to find out how things work, Billy likes to be helpful. When anybody in his foster family has Chores to do, Billy is likely to be right there offering assistance. 'A Warrn; loving•actiVe family, preferablY,where Billy the youngest child, is needed for this engaging youngster. To inquire about adopting Billy, please write to Today's Child; Ministry of Community and Social Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto M9P 2H2. For general adoption information, please contact your local Children's Aid Society. HE LOVES SPORTS Calculating ? MAKE THE JOB EASIER Rent an Adding Machine Reasonable Rates STUDENTS Typewriters for Sale or Rent •••••ese••• meeeee••• ••••••••••• 111111111111100,111 Reasonable Rates "air exeler'crinte,06tiorafe 235-1331 A tough act to follow It will be with some reservations that area residents greet the new year. Generally speaking, 1973 was a banner year and there will naturally be a tendency on the part of many people to wonder whether 1974 can be as good - let alone any better. The past 12 months were great from a weather standpoint, We had a comparative- ly mild winter, a warm and sunny summer and a dry fall. This combined to bring benefits to most, particularly those engaged in agriculture who were able to harvest good crops at a time when prices were at their highest. Over the year, area residents lived mainly in harmony with each other and a glance at our headlines indicate fewer squabbles than usual, So, with these happy combinations, it is only natural that we look ahead with some uneasiness, particularly when the past year ended on the rather sombre note that the world faced a severe energy crisis. * * * That, of course, will be the main problem for the coming months and few of us have any inkling regarding the type of problems we can really expect. There's no question but what we'll be faced with higher prices in many of our everyday needs, but that may be the least of our worries. Certainly, many people are prepared to pay the price. Their main fear is not being able to acquire that which they need for their own comfort. Many of us have no comprehension as to the dependency we have on petroleum products. While there are many obvious uses, it is simply amazing to learn of the many related products. Jobs of many area residents are depen- dent upon the continual flow of these products and 1974 will be a time of un- easiness for those whose welfare can be adversely affected by shortages in supply. In the long run, we are all affected by any situation which changes the economic well-being of others, so we'll have to ride the storm together. * * * The coming year will also see some major changes in area communities, Ex- eter will certainly be in for some major dis- ruptions if the sewer project gets final ap- proval in time to be undertaken this year. That will mean a "riiliddy mess" for the lot of us. in this community. Judging from past experiences, it will also be a time for major headaches for homeowners and elected officials. Each project of this nature seems to result in some major difficulties and we shudder to think that the completion of the sewers will be a larger undertaking than usual with For most of Our readers, however, 1974 will be a year similar to most in that they'll have to take the bad along with the good. Our way of life has become so complex that the "average Joe" no longer has much say in his destiny. The course of our lives can be changed overnight by a decision by a government either in Toronto, Ottawa or in some far off corner of the world. The new year is, nevertheless, a time for hope for us all, although 1974 may bring forth the realization that we MUST change our mode of living to preserve the necessities of life for those who will follow Sewage problems may also be among the major topics of discussion for councils in Hensall and Grand Bend, while others will be more concerned with the supply of water rather than its disposal. Many of the villages in Stephen are now deeply concerned over the condition and supply of water and certainly there is cause for concern over such a precious commodi- ty. Most area communities will also be faced withgreater pressure over the use .of mobile homes as the cost of housing con- tinues to skyrocket. Look for a loosening of regulations in this regard. Council members in the area will also be faced with more talks about centralized administration, or at least more co- operation between communities in areas of mutual concern. us. Ourway of easy living and waste must come to an end and each of us must be prepared to play a part in conserving the riches with which we in this nation have been endowed. In the long run, we'll be better off for having to face that challenge. resulting problems that may be more sizeable than usual. Here again, the energy crisis may play a part. Some plastic pipe is in short supply at the present, and if homeowners require such products to change their sanitary systems to hook into the sewers it could create problems. In addition, all must be aware of the shortage of qualified tradesmen to make the necessary connections, This too is an area which could create havoc in a large sewer project. Exeter will probably also see the erec- tion of a new water tower and there is every indication that the town hall will be vacated with new municipal offices set up in the Main St, post office building. This decision will be one of the major ones facing council at the outset of 1974 and could create some of the most interesting dialogue we've had in some time. "These kids and their drugs nowadays—don't they know it's just a form of escapism?" Be a good forgetter He's hooked on newspapers Reading newspapers is an addiction with some people. If the paper-boy is late, they start to fret and grow owly. If, for some reason, he doesn't show up at all, they are like a tiger with a sore tooth. This applies to readers of weeklies as well as dailies. Weekly newspaper readers are a mild and gentle lot, on the sur- face. But when their paper doesn't arrive on time, they turn into roaring lions or lionesses, as the case may be. Any weekly editor will back me up On this. When I was a weekly, editor, I regularly received ferocious letters stating flatly that the paper wasn't worth three cents a week but since they had paid for a year, I'd darn well better see that it was delivered on time. I know how they feel, I'm one of those addicts mentioned in my opening paragraph, I take a dozen weeklies. If even one of them doesn't arrive on time, I'm not fit to live with. The only time I can get along without my papers is when I'm Phone 235.1331 camping in the wilds. Even then, the first morning or two, I'm greatly tempted to leap into the car and drive thirty miles to buy a paper. It takes me a couple of days to "dry out." It's not that there is anything p'articularly important in the paper. The front page of the dailies is junk and can be scanned in three minutes. Then I jump to the editorial page, which is only about 90 percent junk. Then I read a couple of columns, leap to the en- tertainment critics, scan the sports page and it's all over. I ignore the financial section and the women's pages, which I think are an insult to women. In half an hour, I've skimmed several thousand words, and am no better off or happier than when I began. Stupid, isn't it? But you might as well try to tell an alcoholic that drinking is stupid, He'll agree, and as soon as your back is turned, have a couple of stiff ones to steady his nerves. A readoholic,too,will agree that he doesn't need that morning pick-me-up. And the moment your back is turned, he's peering out the window for the paperboy, twitching in every nerve, Or he's got his head in the garbage pail, absorbed in a story in the newspaper the garbage is wrapped in, I've tried to get the monkey off my back. First step was to shut my eyes while brushing my teeth. This meant I would not be reading the directions on the toothpaste tube, in French and English, during the operation. I lasted two days before I was sneaking peeks. Last summer, in England I thought I might kick the habit. After all, I wasn't interested in Britain's disasters and divorces and football pools, which took up most of the space, I wouldn't read a single paper. First morning, having break- fast in bed, I felt as helpless and frustrated as a man who has just If you've ever wondered why Santa Claus comes only once a year, it indicates you've not been faced with the task of putting together kids' toys for a few° years. The modern trend in mer- chandising toys is to throw all the parts in ahuge box, print up some instructions and then dump them off on some poor unsuspecting parents. Of course, the manufacturers sit around all Christmas eve doubled over in laughter as they think about the thousands of people across the nation who will be up into the wee small hours trying to get those toys together before the kids make their head- long dash to see what's in their stockings. Your truly finished the five- hour marathon job with two minutes and six seconds to spare this year, but only because grandma and grandpa were on hand to assist. Otherwise, the kids would have had their Christmas delayed until the first week in January . , .1975 that .is. goo, The writer is the first to admit he is not mechanically inclined. Putting'piece A into socket B, with the left hand while holding bolt C and screw D in the right hand is just not our cup of tea. Actually we get about the same amount of sense out of reading the French instructions as the English and we don't understand any more than three French words. Invariably, the last instruction is completed and the box is lifted to reveal that one part is left over. Naturally the toy won't work without it, and the whole thing has to be ripped apart and started all over again. Christmas eve is fast becoming the most frustrating time of the year and the next day often turns out to be in the same boat as you grapple with the core of putting together a few toys that some relative has sent for the kids. However, it makes, for easy New Year's resolutions. In 1974 we promise not to buy any toys that haven't been assembled. + + + Speaking of resolutions, imagine many of our readers have already broken some they made two days ago. Resolutions, it seems, are about as sturdy as toys. The editor is fortunate this year. Won't have to make that lost both arms. Second morning, and thereafter, I sneaked down to the lobby before breakfast arrived, bought an armful of papers, went back to the room and lay there reading piggily, happy as a boozer in a barrel of bingo, Reading weeklies is a different matter, You not only read the front page more slowly, but with greater interest. There are names of old friends, their children's marriages, deaths that shock. There's also a pretty good running account of what's hap- pening in the old home town, No sensationalism, Happy little stories. People helping people. Inside the paper, the classifeds make good reading. That's because you know half the people who are seeing a lot or buying a baby carriage or advertising that they will no longer be responsible for their wife's debts. And then there's the writing of the country correspondents. Some of it is priceless and per- sonal. Here's ail item my brother sent me, and I'd like lb share it, It appeared in the Madoc Review, in the 50 Years Ago column: "Rev'. Ihindock, of the Apostolic Church, was tendered a — Please turn to Page annual resolution to give up that foul habit of smoking, Trust some of our cohorts in the back shop here at the T-A can finally come up with intestinal fortitude to give up the habit. However, they're a hardened crew, and our attempts at getting them to see the danger of their ways have so far fallen on deaf ears. A recent poster placed on the bulletin board may help. It shows a toddler sitting in a high chair puffing on a cigarette,The poster asks the question: "How many cigarettes a day does your child smoke?" The message is that when a child breaths air filled with smoke, it can be as harmful as smoking a cigarette himself. C'mon you guys, surely that will help you make that im- portant decision to quit. + + + As some readers will know, the writer helps coach the Exeter Waxers, a hockey team corn- `prised of youngsters eight and uti Mier . OVer the Christmas holiday the squad competed in the annual novice tournament held here in town, The boys ended up playing two games each on two suc- cessive days and most of their parents and coaches were nearing exhaustion as they 50 Years Ago The old council in Usborne was returned by acclamation: Reeve William Coates; Councillors James Ballantyne, Fred Stewart, Wellington Skinner and John Hannah. The newly elected officers of Lebanon Forest Lodge A.F. & A.M. were installed on Thursday evening of last week by V. Wor, Bro. M.E. Eacrett. The officers are as, follows: W.M. H. Bagshaw ;,I.P.M. J.M. Southcott; S,,W., J.G. Stanbury; J.W., G.M. Chidley , ; secretary, R.N Creech; treasurer, C.H. Sanders; Sr.D., Thomas Pryde; Jr. D., W. Frayne; I.G. H.O. Southcott; Tyler, S. Sweet, Sr. S., J. Pryde; Jr. S., G. Thomson, Nominations were held in Exeter Monday and a long list of candidates were placed in nomination for the different officers. They are: for reeve, F.A. Ellerington, B,M, Francis, W.D. Sanders and C.B, Snell; for councillors, Eli Coultis, Jos. Davis, Rd. Davis, Wm. J. Gillespie; C.F. Hooper and J.M. Southcott; for Board of Education, W.H. Dearing, Jesse Elston, A.E, Fuke, J.H. Grieve, J.S'. Harvey, and Thomas Pryde. Mr. John Jacob and wife left last week for Clinton where they will take charge of the Huron County Home. 25 Years Ago Alf Andrus of Traquair's Hardware won a new Studebaker car New Year's Eve in a draw sponsored by the Exeter Legion. So far the snow plow for clearing the streets has been called into service only once this season. Miss Anna Brock, president of the local Junior Institute, is at- tending the provincial convention of Junior Farmers at the King Edward Hotel, Toronto. She will take part in a panel discussion, Provincial Constable John Ferguson and Chief John Worry had a lively time New Year's day when they attempted to arrest two men from Ailsa Craig. They were plaoed in the local lock-up and Constable Helmer Snell escorted Hiatt to Goderich, helped the lads off with their equipment at the end of the fourth game on Thursday afternoon. It was assumed the boys would be equally tired and there were comments that none would have any difficulty dropping off to sleep that night. However they make little boys out of tough ingredients these days. "Is there a practice tonight?" one of them shouted out as he realized it was our regular practice date. + + + Our readers will interested in knowing that the art work of our Christmas issue was again provided by Carolyn Perry of Exeter, This young artist's work has graced our special front page for four consecutive years. Unfortunately, her name was almost obliterated in the printing' this year and may not have been spotted by many of our readers. We again thank Carolyn for her efforts. + + + And Finally, all the best to all our readers in the new year. 15 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. Gus Latta, Grand Bend, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary'at a family dinner on New Year's Day. The couple farmed in Stephen until retiring to Grand Bend about a year ago. Right Rev. W.A. Townshend, D.D. Suffragen Bishop of the Diocese of Huron, confirmed 10 candidates during the service at the Protestant chapel RCAF Station, Centralia, Sunday. Opening of the new Exeter Farm Equipment building owned by R.D. .Jermyn, coincides with the tenth anniversary of the founding of the firm. Dick Jer- myn took over the Case dealership in Exeter from Snell Bros. Ltd. July 1, 1959. 10 Years Ago Mayor Cy Simmons created an uproar when he recommended council salaries be reduced because a works superintendent had been hired to undertake some of the work previously handled by council members, The recom- mendation wasn't followed, although Simmons said he would turn back $300 of his $550 salary, A descendent of Col, James Hodgins, first reeve of Biddulph, took over the reins of the town- ship. Ile was Wilson Hodgins, who defeated James Ryan in a two-way fight for the reeve's post. District municipal officials were guests of Group Captain L.H. Randall at the annual new year's levee at RCAF Centralia. Gordon Vincent shot a wolf in the Grand Bend area during a jack rabbit drive, Bill Wright and Lana Keller were named king and queen at the Exeter Teen Town new year's dance. Miss Greta Harness retired after serving nearly 39 years at the local branch of the Bank of Montreal, Several roofs iii the area collapsed under the weight of the 50 inches of snow which fell in December, Former Exeter Reeve Chester Mawhinney and his wife marked their golden anniversary. Those of us who are getting older often find ourselves em- barrassed and frustrated by our memory lapses. You know, the times you start to tell a story and forget the ending or go to introduce.someone you've known for years and suddenly can't recall their name , . or you look up a telephone number and it slips from your mind even before you get your finger in the dial slot. Sometimes', however, it's a good thing to be a good iorgetter. And perhaps the beginning of a new year is one of those times. Life is too short to drag anything with us from the past that binds or hinders us from doing the best with our present lives. Remember, it was the courageous, old St. Paul who said, "Forgetting all what lies behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on . " The successful person forgets. He knows the past is irrevocable and he lets the dead past bury its dead, The magnanimous man forgets. He is too big to let little things disturb him. He forgets quickly, and forgets easily. It is really only the small person who cherishes a low revenge. Life is like running a race. We cannot afford to look behind but must keep our eyes on the win- ning post. There is nothing that slows us down or holds us back like harbouring past mistakes or past grievances, So, as we start a new year, let's remember only the good days and forget the rest, Wipe the slate of your remembrance with Love. Forget your own failures and those of others, Christ did not die upon the Cross for man to bear the load of his regrets and sins himself. We only add to His sorrow when we don't forget the faults of others and of ourselves, Here's a little poem by Della Wheeler I like: The Past is gone, with all its grief and sorrow; Look forward now to a new, glad tomorrow. Wounds are not healed by weeping and repining; Just face your cloud and find its silver lining. Waste not a day in useless, vain regretting; Make life worthwhile, giving as well as getting. And lend a hand to aid a stum- bling brother; Life is enriched through helping one another. Be of good cheer; The future holds the treasure; As we deserve, so shall our blessings measure. OxeferZimes-Usorafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W,N.A., CLASS and ABC Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh liglitEMSOMMVEINftiataingligleraZUMMEMORMOVMMOMOVAMBEWaSNAIM Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 4386 Paid in Advance Circulation, March 31, 1972, 5,037 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $9,00 Per Year; USA $11,00 202000,4ZireNTMVSOMFAIMPIAS APROASIMIg