Loading...
The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-05-29, Page 4 704.".44#0:d Dumb Christians Dangerous sickness Newscaster: "Reports from Ottawa to- day indicate that postal employees in many sections of the nation will book off sick tomorrow in a protest to nudge the federal treasury board toward a contract settlement." Child to father watching the news "How come they know they're going to be sick tomorrow, dad?" If you've got an answer to that question (as well as explaining a study session) you may be just the person required to explain the strange set of morals exercised by some members of our society. There's a sickness, to be sure, but is ob- viously not of a physical nature. It's a sickness that condones deceit, although un- ion leaders choose to call it "strategy". It's a sickness that, unfortunately, appears to spread easily and one for which our society must quickly find a cure before it reaches epidemic proportions. Widening the gap Pay increases continue to make startl- ing reading for people who may be on fixed incomes or those whose employment doesn't enable them to keep up with the rampant increases being afforded other people. Members of the teaching staff on both the Huron board of education and the Huron-Perth Separate school board last week received pay increases of 30 percent. There was a time when a pay increase of that amount over the period of only one year would draw howls of protest. Oddly enough, school trustees in the area were actually patting themselves on the back with the "reasonable" settlement they had been able to work out with the teachers. Teachers in other areas are expected to get even bigger increases than some locally, although that will probably not serve to ease the burden being felt by ratepayers as they watch their tax bills es- calate at alarming rates. Unfortunately, for all concerned, the costs now involved in many areas of the public sector are getting beyond the ability of those who have to foot the bills. There's just no way the taxpayers can keep coming up with the money. A $10,000 annual salary is "good money" for a large number of people in this area and how can they then turn around and pay salaries to teachers and school administrators that are two, three , . and yes even four . times that high? The gap, of course, widens more each year because the pay increases are on a percentage basis. The person on a $10,000 income may get 15 percent to give him an additional $1,500 per year, while he then faces a tax increase to pay for the 30 per- cent pay hike of the $20,000-a-year man which works out to a $6,000 jump. Extend that over the period of only a few years and it is quite obvious that there's serious trouble lying just around the corner. Putting sun to work In another year or so, a few senior citizens in Ontario will be housed in an apartment building heated entirely by the sun, reports Mark Ricketts in The Finan- cial Post. . Scientists have been talking about solar heat for a long time. But one of the problems in latitudes as far north as Canada is that the energy source from the sun has to be supplemented by heat from regular sources - electricity or fossil fuels. To circumvent this need for supplementary sources of heat, Professor F.C. Hooper of the University of Toronto and John Hix, an architect, have devised a large storage tank that can store enough heat in the summer to last through the winter. The system in this solar-heated project incorporated a solar collector that faces south, at an angle perpendicular to the sun during most months of the year, explains The Post. The collector is a flat plate painted black and containing pipes through which water is passed. The pipes are covered by plate glass to prevent reverse heat loss. The day TV really blew it GEU.S5 WHAT I MADE WITH MY CHEMISTRY SEIM? Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation March 31, 1974, 5,309 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $9.00 Per Year; USA $11,00 000%.:411M:' Phone 235-1331 *CNA Our response to now By ELMORE BOOMER Counsellor for Information South Huron For appointment phone: 228-6291 or 235-0560 The drug scene A good year for radishes This is a bad time of year for female television watchers.. The hockey seasons are in full swing. And already the sports writers are running stories about. next fall's football players. It's got so that a girl hasn't much choice on the weekends. She has to knit or get drunk or do some work around the house, whatever her thing is. She is a widow, to all intents and pur- poses. Her husband has retreated into the weak-ankled, hit- fumbled, slicing, pass-missed womb of his youth. He is of no more use than a large vegetable. True, he is sitting in a chair, but he must be watered and fertilized occasionally, or he will just wither away, as he watches, mesmerized, large hairy young men doing all the things he could have done better 10 or 20 or 30 years ago, if only he'd had a decent coach, or the money for proper equipment, or hadn't got married. Wouldn't you think that, in International Women's Year, the poobahs of television would have made at least a token effort to destroy this annual spring edition of Canadian domestic life — a big, fat turnip stuck in a chair with a wasp buzzing around it? Surely there is one bright light among the dim bulbs which illuminate the world of TV. This was the year for the big switch. With a little imagination and intelligence, the big advertisers could have millions of women slumped in a chair drinking beer and never removing their eyes from the screen and moving their limbs only to reach for the san- wich brought in by George. There's no shortage of women's sports, and there is no shortage of women who would watch them avidly, and who also control the purse-strings of purchasing. Why haven't the networks replaced those panty-waist hockey players waltzing around clutching each other's sweaters with women's wrestling — a couple of bosomy, muscular, sweaty broads with their false teeth out, pounding each other across the chops with elbow smashes? This would be a normal release of the aggressions of women watchers, who would be as sweet and docile after the event as their husbands are now after seeing Muhammed Ali pulverize 'Elmer Scherk. Then there could be all sorts of women's contests of skill on the tube. Every grown man in Canada is an -instant expert in hockey, because he donned the blades as a tyke, and learned that you have to shoot, pass and hit, even though he could never do any of them when he should have. He shot to get rid of the puck, pretending it was a pass so nobody would hit him. On the other hand, every woman in Canada is an expert in the things she never learned to do very well, as well. Supposing the idiots who tellus what we are going to watch on television announced that there was going to be an ass-wiggling competition. Every woman in the country, from four to 84, would be glued to the set, The males wouldn't get near it. They would mope about the kitchen and have to do the dishes in disgust, or wander into the backyard, and clean lit up, just for something to do. Just as the men chuckle now, when they're watching those over-paid clowns, and say; "See that beautiful elbow?", or "That was a lovely butt-end," or, when some ape slams another orang- outang into the boards: "Wow! Atsa wayda hiddim," so would the ladies have their innings. I can hear them, viewing such a muscular trial as mentioned above. "She looks like a bowl of jelly with palsy." "I'da made her look sick twenny years ago." "They godda be falsies." "She diden learn that strut in the Presbyterian choir." "She wooden be bad if she wuzzen knock-kneed." Just a sample. There are many other feminine sports that would be sure-fire to attract the fair flower of our land and push those barrel-chested, carefully-cas- ually-coiffeured inarticulate male athletes right back to Hayfork Centre, where they came from. How about a dirty joke con- Garden activity is in full swing in the writer's neighborhood and the unusual weather conditions of the past week have brought things shooting up through the ground. Similar to 'other years, the weeds have made the most headway and it appears this season there will be no lull bet- ween the planting period and when one must take hoe in hand and get to work. For those of us who do little planning in garden activities, the first couple of weeks are most interesting and full of surprises. The seeds we've picked up haphazardly off the store shelves are starting to grow and it is the first time there is a clear in- dication of what vegetables to expect in the weeks ahead. This year, for instance, the editor's garden is full of radishes, which may be alright for people who love radishes, but ourIluck in growing those hot little treats has never been good because the task of thinning the things is not one of our favorite pursuits. So, why all the radishes? Good question! In fact it is one that has already been posed several times and the answer is only now coming to light. As usual, yours truly picked up a couple of packets and they were sown in the initial planting stages. Then the better half picked up a box of soap suds or something from the local supermarket and included was another packet of seeds. Not wanting them to go to waste, she set about putting them into the garden. While picking up some ads last week, one of our friendly customers handed out another two packages from a supply provided by a photo finishing firm as a promotional effort. These too ended up in the garden. Now, we find that every other row or so in the garden includes some radishes, and with ideal growing conditions, they've sprouted up more bountiful than normal. So, if you happen to be among those who enjoy radishes, drop by in a couple of weeks and help yourself. Bring along your own bushel baskets though! + + + Another item which appears in our garden in abundance is squirrels. frontation? What do you think about a Lemme Show Ya My Operation contest? How does a Boy, Did I Tell Him Off! com- petition sound to you? The possibilities are endless. But the TV moguls blew it. And so did Women's Lib. They anually join our kids in raiding the pea patch at such regularity that none end up on the dining table, but this year the squirrels have adopted some new tactics. They're not bothering to wait until the pods appear. The little beggars are digging up the seeds and carting them off to their lofty perches. We're not certain what the ratio is for peas in a pod to a pea in the ground, but there's no question but what the squirrels are certainly practicing some poor planning which will become evident to them when they find their July supply non-existent because of their May activities. However, they may change their diets and include some radishes, so the whole thing will work out well in the end. + + + Speaking of abundance, many people have reacted with disdain to a picture appearing in a recent copy of The London'Free/Press showing a group of young people with 471 empty beer bottles, the contents of which they disposed of prior to the picture being taken. Many suggest that the photo was not newsworthy, while others feared that it may spark a new fad in the way of contests in which young people would be attempting to eclipse each other in drinking beer rather than some otherpractices such ascramming phone booths or eating snails. Some of the arguments are well founded, and certainly it must be noted that fads such as streaking are only successful when they continue to gain public attention through the news media, By the same token there is some merit in publishing pictures 50 Years Ago Thomas MacMillan, Tuckersmith, was nominated to carry the Liberal standard at the next election for Dominion parliament. John and Percy Passmore, R. D. Bell and D, Brintnell took part in the Ingersoll trap shoot Monday. The New Commercial Hotel, Hensall, received their licence on Thursday to sell the new 4.4 percent beer and quite a number took the opportunity to test the new drink. William Thomas Huxtable, well-known Centralia farmer, died suddenly at the age of 54. 25 Years Ago Families of V. L. Becker and Harry Hoffman won $2 each for horse and buggy outfits at the May 24 Sports Day in Dashwood. The stock pens are being torn down at Kippen at the Canadian National Railway yards giving way to long-distance live-stock truckers. William Middleton was elected president of the Layman's Association of Huron Deanery. Mr, Allison Morgan who recently graduated from the OAC, Guelph, with his BSA degree has accepted a position with the Purina Company. A general meeting of sub- scribers to the South Huron Hospital Association Fund is called for Monday, June 12, for the purpose of choosing a site and electing a board of trustees for the construction of the hospital. The Manitoba Flood Relief Fund passed the $1,300 iliatk this week. IS Years Ago Mrs. W. Gorden Appleton, Marlborough St., was one of the of this nature, It was an unsual scene that would tempt any photographer, but further than that, there may well be some parents who had their eyes opened up. Reports indicate that one of the youths pictured with the empty beer bottles has had his driving privileges with the family car suspended for two months due to his participation, The picture surely should spark other parents into some action to determine just what their children do when they get permission to head off for a camping expedition on a holiday weekend. Parents who think their youngsters sit around singing campfire songs and eating roasted marshmallows washed down with a soda pop may have those illusions shattered when they see such pictures or read of stories of rock throwing incidents in other parks. Don't believe for a minute that last week's picture will prompt an outbreak of drinking contests. Those contests (although they may not be considered as such) are already a part of the ac- tivities of many young people and perhaps it's time some parents made it their business (which it is) to know what their offspring are doing when they strike off in the family car with a few bucks the old man gave them for those marshamallows and soft drinks. That picture did little more than depict life as it really is, and surely the news media must consider that as part of their responsibility. two ladies who split the $1,000 prize in London's bingo this week. Three children of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Elston, Biddulph, won three trophies, four first prizes and a second, at the music festival in Lucan last week. They are Wendy, 9, David 11, and Sheila 12. Reg Beavers was elected president of the Exeter Lions at their supper meeting at Arm- strong's Restaurant Thursday evening. Hensall and District Teen Town held their weekly dance in the community centre Saturday. Chaperones for the evening were Mrs. Frank Wright and Mrs. Aubrey Farquhar of Kippen. Carolynne Simmons of Exeter Public School won the senior girls "B" division at the South Western Ontario Elementary School's Athletic Association track and field meet in Chatham Saturday. 10 Years Ago Retiring principal H. L. Sturgis, who has guided the, progress of SHDHS for the past 17 years, was described as a man "who had done more for South Huron than any other," in one of the many eulogies spoken during a testimonial banquet in the Exeter Legion Hall, Saturday. Approval of the latest plans for the $1,687,041 vocational addition at SHDHS has been received this week from the department of education, Toronto. The Bethel Reformed Church on Huron St., was jammed to capacity to hear Rev, Richard VanFarrowe prior to his departure for Leamington. A fellowship supper for the congregation and friends was held at Thames Road Mennonite Church Sunday evening followed by a service for pastor Stanley Sauder, who is leaving, Sometimes I think some of we Christians are the dumbest people on earth! We talk so much about our 'wonderful faith', yet continue to behave in ways that would make many a heathen shudder, Christ gives to all who respond to Him the gift of faith. But He also offers more than faith. For those who will receive, he gives the gift of compassion and love. Though faith is essential, it's not enough. We read in II Peter I; 5-7, "Do your best to add good- ness to your faith; and to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness; to•your godliness add brotherly love; and to your brotherly love add Christian love." I know of people who have suffered at the words of con- temporary 'Job's comforters'. Christians who have unquestionable faith in God have said to them, "The reason you have cancer is because you have an evil spirit inside you. Get right with God and you won't have cancer,"or "Your child has died because God wants to teach you a lesson," Who needs friends like that? Yet, one cannot question their genuine faith. For myself, though I have faith, I frequently agonize over times I've failed in ,my relationships with family and close friends. Peter's words give me hope, however. Without minimizing faith, he tells us this is not the whole story. He says it is possible to have faith and not have goodness. How many times we ourselves have been dishonest or manipulted people in the name of God? (And how we hate and resent it when this is done to us!) But the One who gives the gift of faith can also give the gift of goodness. Peter goes on to say we can Imagine Charlie presenting himself for treatment at the addiction facility. His drug problem is in the way! He'd never been before. He'd never felt he needed help before. Straight people were a strait- jacket. He was doing all right anyway. He looks quizzically at you, examining the situation. He is out of his depth. He never had settled in much. He'd travelled. He finds the prospect of settling in for even a few weeks past comprehension, He wants to learn how to keep a job, how to be part of the majority. He is frightened. He needs to make the proper im- pression but doesn't know how. "Charlie, why did you come in? What would motivate you to do such a strange and fearful thing?" We wait for his answer. "Well, I guess I'm sort of stunned," he says, "Here I am twenty-six and I don't have a thing." "I was all right until I went back to my friends, and do you know, while I was away they'd straightened out. They're all married and have houses and kids! And I don't have a thing!" He's restless and un- comfortable but he also wants to change. Sheila Gormley writes per- ceptively about the passing of the JUNE 15 have faith' and goodness and be without knowledge. I think of those pushy Christians who at- tempt to cajole, scare or bully their friends and family into the Kingdom. The fact that they have faith and goodness doesn't guarantee they're smart in dealing with other people. Continuing, Peter says you can have knowledge but still lack self- control, According to William Barclay self-control is man controlling his instincts and passions so they become his servants and not his tyrants, Beyond self-control, says Peter, there is endurance to look at your frustrations and trials, realistically and creatively. But we can have all these things and still not be living a godly life. And even beyond that, Peter points out, you can be living a pious life and still not be practicing love, Though faith is important, what have we got if we don't have love? I'm sad to hear from a friend the experiences of his minister friend from Africa who has been studying in America. How he and his wife have been barred from attending an all white church; their difficulties in procuring jobs because of the color of their skins and other discriminatory acts done to them. I heard, too, this week of some good pious people in one of our local churches being upset because a certain lady "had the nerve to partake of the sacraments after what she's done". I marvel at, and thank God for His patience and en- durance with us! I thank God, too, for the many who have not been 'dumb Christians', who have blessed my life immeasurably. These are the ones who to their faith have added goodness, knowledge, self- control, godliness, and love. In fact, it's my memories of them that keep me from despairing. drug culture of the late '60's in the latest Weekend Magazine. Now people gather for the odd evening for old times sake just to drop a little acid. The use of drugs is increasing with only L.S.D. being less popular than a few years ago. But the scene is different now. There was an air of rebellion, a turning from old values summed up in security and affluence. The flower children wanted to get back to the earth leaving the sad finesse of civilization behind. They were 'Mother Nature's' children. Mind expansion and con- sciousness raising episodes punctuated their experience. New feelings,new awarenesses, a leaving of old failures and moth- eaten attempts at living was the object of their search, And they wore their blue jeans and beads and long hair as badges of their rebellion. They were out to bust City Hall, Of course these treasonable signs were red flags of danger to older ones. Society waded in to stem the tide. They didn't know what they were fighting. The police tried to stop the flow of drugs but couldn't. Concerned citizens discussed drugs but came slowly to a realization of the springs of the youth movement. June Callwood seemed to understand. "Getting stoned made them feel friendly, made them feel they were contributing. The real narcotic was their idealism and the casualties of that idealism are sadder than the drug casualties, They'll never try a g a in. " Now the scene is duller and darker. The druggies are owners or part owners of resource- consuming automobilies. They have embraced the old money- centered values. The spirit has departed, And society breathes easier. Everyone is relieved, Drug use is on the increase. Now it, is lonelier, more in- dividualistic, To fill personal aches rather than building bt heea tai fyu.1 cities is the labour of Since the challenge to society is gone, and drugs are used quietly and our sleep is undisturbed, we can be complacent, It may be mind-destroying to be Stoned on surreptitious drugs or overt alcohol but at least it is socially acceptable! Blessings on our crumpled heads! WiftkiT • Times Established 1873 SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A. and ABC Publisher — Robert Southcott Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh Plant Manager — Les Webb Composition Manager — David Worby Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924