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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-10-09, Page 4For most Canadians Thanksgiving Day is a time for putting on storm windows and snugging up the house, tidying up the yard; a time for big eating and for football games. Few of us remember that in its begin- ning it was a day of gratitude for the rhythm of the seasons, set after the bounty of summer had been safely garnered and stored against the starker days ahead. Through the long centuries, in almost every culture, such a day or series of days has been celebrated. The origin of our North American Thanksgiving is a little different, the gift of a stalwart company known as the Pilgrim Fathers, who came to New England in order that they might worship and live as their consciences dictated, Governor Brad- ford, 354 years ago, proclaimed in Plymouth, a "day of thanks to God", who had sustained them in the midst of hardship, peril and meagre resources. Their gratitude was for life itself, for religious freedom and escape from tyranny and persecution, not for material assets, which they conspicuously lacked. It is said that as the years passed, and prosperity came, those who followed them began their Thanksgiving dinner by looking down at five grains of corn set on otherwise empty plates, a reminder that this had once been the daily allowance of the colony. Such an exercise might be good for us. Across the world today, millions face just such limited rations, if they have any rations at all. We often get tired of hearing about the earth's hungry — out of sight is often out of sympathy — but it's a cry we must both hear and heed. The resources of earth are not our par- ticular preserve; we just happen to live in one of the favored parts of the world. The verse from Luke2:48 is pertinent here: "Where a man has been given much, much will be expected of him , ." Instead of griping when governments make gifts from our taxes to the third world, and more particularly griping when we're personally asked to share in the redistribution process, we'd do well to remember those five grains of corn. Conformities of response In the entertainment industry - and in politics, too - careers are made and broken by applause and by lack of applause. We are often manipulated into offering applause, and sometimes our applause is measured by machines. Persons in groups can be led to applaud things at which very few of them as in- dividuals would even clap one hand. We readily applaud things which do not deserve our applause - probably because we feel that willingness to applaud in- discriminately is a sign of tolerance and broadmindedness. Canned applause, along with canned laughter is often dubbed onto the sound- tracks of filmed television programs and used as background support on radio shows. We sit in our easy chairs and let ourselves be beguiled by artificial applause into accepting what we really know to be utter tripe as the fine flower of human creativity. How else can you account for the phenomenal success of some television shows? We often show amusement and offer applause because we do not wish to be judg- ed odd and puritanical and narrowminded, But broadmindedness can have its own sub- versively built-in narrowmindedness, Ar- tistic integrity is not necessarily authen- ticated by four-letter words, bared female bosoms and explicit sex. Today we are being subtly forced into conformities of response and attitude without our being fully aware of the extent to which we are being manipulated. Applause can be contagious - and therein is its peril. Human nature, fortunately has in it a strain of sheer cussedness, and this keeps society from becoming thoroughly homogenized in taste and judgement. But how many of us, really, bring individual judgement to bear on entertainments on politics - on anything which a group, for its own selfish purposes, tries to manipulate us into applauding? Published Each Thursday Morning' Exeter,at Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386 Paid in Advance Circulation March 31, 1975 5,249 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $9 00 Per Year; USA $11.00 • :oC.14;:44.1:AW.lf:tigAl.,iik%4Wakatr Oh no, not another one! Five grains of corn Forget not His benefits Thanks and no thanks Perhaps, with Thanksgiving in the air, it's as good a time as any to make a personal inventory of what we have to be thankful for, if anything. Maybe you'd like to join me, substituting your minuses for mine, your pluses for mine. On second thought, I haven't really a single minus. Oh, there are a lot of little nuisances: ar- thritis in my foot; rambling bursitis in shoulders, knees and neck; dewlaps; a few less teeth than I'd like. But everybody has these things. If we didn't, we wouldn't appreciate how great it is when the pains clear up for a few days, or the fact that there's always plenty of good grub to mumble with those ancient molars. I do have some negative thank- fuls. I'm glad I am, by choice, not living in a city, with everything that entails in the line of human harassment: dirt, traffic, crowds, coldness. Especially when I can, as right now, look out my window and see the yellow October sun blazing into the gaudy flamboyance of the maples, and a little further off, the blue of clean, unpolluted water, and know that if I stepped outside, the air would be champagne, not cheap, scented wine, I'm glad I don't have six children. Two of them almost brought the Old Lady and me to our knees, economically and emotionally. I'm grateful that I haven't got stuck into some job that I loathe, as so many men have. What could be more soul-destroying than hating to go to work every morning? I'm glad I'm not sick, or feeble, or pot-bellied, or ham-handed, or tight-fisted, even though I am how-legged, forgetful and sometimes, after' a sharp ex- change with my wife, have a ringing in my ears. Those are just a few of the negative thankfuls. They are vastly outweighed, to the point where it is no contest, by the positive thankfuls. I couldn't begin to list them in this space, but will touch on a few of the highlights. I'm extremely grateful, even though it should last only a few more years, that, despite the machinations of the oil com- panies and the stupidity and shortsightedness of our "leaders," I can still turn up the thermostat on a cold morning and know that I and mine will not shiver through the day. I am extremely thankful that I am not a young man, recently married, mortgaged to the ears for life, in an effort to provide a roof and food for a family. It's taken 30 years of slaving on the old plantation, toting many a barge and lifting many a bale, but I own my own house and don't owe anybody a nickel, and I'm grateful. Another thing to be thankful for is the fatherly benevolence of Pierre Trudeau and his gang (I use the word gang advisedly). They and their provincial and municipal henchmen are content with separating me from only about half of every dollar I make, and there is no indication yet that they will shortly want an arm and a leg each year as additional tribute. Only a few toes and fingers. I'm very thankful that I live in Canada. It's a magnificent country; a people who could be magnificent, but refuse; and they don't throw you in jail for speaking disparagingly of the gang in power. (They haven't got enough jails, and who would pay the rent?) I'm happy with my immediate family, though thousands wouldn't be. My son is a failure, in the ordinary middle-class sense, He has never made more than $2,000 a year, has no home, except ours, and couldn't produce the proverbial pot. But he is working with ultra-poor peasants in a South American country, trying to make a better life for them, eating their food, catching their diseases, and I'm proud of him. My daughter, after adventures in the sub-culture that make me shudder still, knocked them dead with her writing in a university course, got her degree, is in fourth year of a second degree in music, has had a baby, and is about to produce a sister for Pokey, my grandbaby, who is a This is apparently the week of the door-to-door canvass in Exeter, with appeals being made for the Salvation Army, Canadian Institute for the Blind and the Bible Society. The Hospital Auxiliary tag day was last week. Unfortunately, a lack of co- ordination is going to hurt all three of the causes, because regardless of how worthy each is, people only have so many extra dollars in their pocket at one time to donate'to charities. Unfortunately, the last can- vassers may even get some reaction such as "not another one" and find that their receipts are adversely affected by that attitude. On many occasions the writer has suggested that' those soliciting funds in the community attempt to arrange some type of United Appeal, but no one has bothered to invest the time in- volved to get such a program underway. While it may be too big an undertaking in a small com- munity in the minds of some, we point out again that it is being accomplished in communities of similar population. Failing that, it becomes ob- vious with the experience of this week, that at least a meeting should be staged to better organize the campaigns so they are spread out over the period of a year and not end up with the resulting conflicts that have now arisen. This in itself would be ex- tremely easy and would require only one meeting between the various groups and agencies involved to establish the dates for each canvass. In that way, each would receive the maximum support. People in this community are as generous as most, but when three canvasses are conducted within the period of one week or so, all are bound to come out with whipper-dipper, like all grand- babies. Not bad for a rotten kid. My wife (careful now, Buster, watch it) is still a smashing looking woman, though a granny, an excellent cook, great com- pany, and is becoming virtually serene, She hasn't thrown anything at me for nearly two years, except a wet dishclath or something like that. It used to be plates of food, telephones, Eaton's catalogue, you name it. She did, actually, throw my typewriter downstairs last year, when I made some mild remark about the had temper she used to have, but she didn't throw it at me. That's progress. I like my job, working with kids, who are at least alive, not just going through the motions, like so many of their elders. I have a few friends, whom I cherish, a few enemies, chiefly the town engineer, who does not cherish me, and a host of likeable contemporaries and acquain- tances. My blood pressure is great, I don't wear glasses, my heart hasn't given me a bad knock, I'm chipper as the average eighty- year-old woman and I'm already at work on the book I didn't get around to writing last summer, or the one before, or.,. It's just great to be alive, and I offermy sincere thanks to God or Whoever is responsible for it. How about you? less cash for the worthy causes they seek to assist. That is naturally disappointing in view of the work involved in canvassing and it could be straightened out comparatively easily if some planning Look place. The upcoming weekend is the one to which everyone looks forward with anticipation, unless you happen to be a turkey. It's a busy weekend for most, as they set about the chores of getting their lawns, gardens and homes prepared for the up- coming blasts of fall and winter. Farmers, of course, will still be busy trying to get their harvest completed. Those who are fortunate enough to have some free time to put their feet up and relax are the lucky ones. It's the final holiday weekend before Christmas, and obviously a rest stands one in better stead to get ready for that hectic season which is rushing headlong at us. The pace quickens con- siderably and it won't be until the 26th of December that many will have another opportunity to relax. So, enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Look about and count your may blessings. It may also be a good time to resolve that you won'tget too caught up in the hurly-burly of the approaching Christmas rush. It may not do much good, but it's worth a try! + + + It finally happened . . . as it does with most families. One of our sons was in conversation with a buddy, and obviously un- beknown to him was overheard discussing , the pending arrangements to be made over the purchase of a package of cigarettes. 50 Years Ago Mr. and Mrs. James Sweet celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Friday last. Both are enjoying fairly good health. Mr. Sweet chopped some wood during the day while Mrs. Sweet was busy about her household duties. Mr. J. M. Harvey, B.A., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Harvey of town has been appointed to a fellowship on the staff of the Toronto University. William Carey Davis, one of Hensall's pioneer merchants died early Sunday morning. The West Huron Teachers Association met in Exeter Thursday and Friday of last week and severely criticized history, arithmetic and speller text books. It also endorsed total prohibition. The Crediton Baseball club installed a radio Monday in the home of William Motz so William could listen in on the world's baseball series. 25 Years Ago Corner stone of the new Legion building was laid in a ceremony Thursday. Taking part were Vern Heywood in charge of con- struction, and four men who have presided over the Legion since the war: Len McKnight,, Bert Borland, Bert Ostland and Ted Pooley, Two silos cracked open in the Hensall district following a rainy corn season. Mr. and Mrs. William Moodie, Thames Road, have moved to Exeter to reside with their daughter, Mrs, Margaret Flet- cher, Exeter will become in- corporated as a town on New Year's Day, Exeter Cubs netted over $75 from the sale of apples on Saturday, Tickets sold on a Shetland pony donated to the South Huron Hospital fund by Mr. and Mrs, Albert Etherington realized 020,00 Seems the boys bad saved up a' few sheckles and were about to prove their manhood by indulging in the pursuit that has been going on behind barns and in other inconspicuous spots for generations. However, today's kids seem to get their start on the real thing, while many of their elders had to get their first en- counter of burning lungs with rolled up newspapers, corn silks or-leaves. At any rate, a family conflab over the habit was hastily called with the participant. The evils and costs of the filthy habit were duly pointed out. Much to junior's surprise, no punishment was meted out, and in fact he was advised that it was a decision which he would have to make. After all, most parents can recall enough of their own childhood days to realize that dire threats don't always work - at least they didn't with the writer on occasions. After listening to the discussion,our son sat in a pensive mood, and when asked at the conclusion if he had anything to say, blurted out "I've decided to quit." That remains to be seen, but if he listens to his old man, he'll know that the decision in that regard is much easier than making it after you've been hooked on the weeds for any period of time. Readers will know well of our vain attempts and we hope our offspring show a bit more in- telligence and never get to that difficult point when a statement of "I've decided to quit" becomes a most difficult task to accomplish. 15 Years Ago Kathy Love of Shipka, a member of SHDHS's Perthex champion cheerleading team was crowned queen of Exeter Kin- smen's Harvest Jamboree, Friday night. Ausable Authority has established its new office in the former Ray Frayne home at Riverview Park which ARCA purchased this year in cooperation with the town, Exeter's chief magistrate, R, E. Pooley, came within a whisker of, winning the celebrated mayor's class Tuesday at the International Plowing match at Springfield. Over 24,000 persons were given tuberculin tests this summer by the • Huron County TB Association. Seventeen were reported .to have pulmonary tuberculosis, of which eight were diagnosed as active. Rev, Bren de Vries, rector of Trivitt Memorial Anglican church, will represent the diocese next week at a US conference on town and country churches. 10 Years Ago Ann Creech, a grade 11 student in the five year Arts and Science course at South Huron District High School will be reporting school activities and events for The Times-Advocate for the 1965- 66 school year. Ernie Chipchase and Helen Burton were the winners in the first annual two-ball foursome golf tournament for the Jack Smith trophy held at the Exeter Golf course recently. The $150,000 expansion of Darling's IGA was officially marked Tuesday morning as Amos Darling, father of the present, owner, cut the ribbon at the new entrance way, Members of the staff and friends were on hand for the simple ceremony, The largest family at the Exeter Fall Fair was that, of Mr, and Mrs. Ross Skinner of RR 1 Centralia, The family have Seven children including twins born in June, Of the ten lepers healed by Jesus only one came back to give thanks. St. Luke states, "This man was a Samaritan," which implies the other nine were not, that they were, in fact, Jews. Relations between the Samaritans and the Jews were strained and unfriendly, to say the least. The former were the despised half-breeds of their day. It would not surprise us, therefore, if the restored Samaritan had gone merrily on his way. If he had not taken the trouble to come back and say "'Thank you" for this most priceless gift of health we would not have wondered about it, But if the other nine had come back, Jews with a strong sense of God, all the traditions behind them, if they had come back, grateful for His cure we would think that the perfectly natural thing for them to do. But it was, in fact, these nine who went on their way with never a 'backward glance and quickly forgot. I fear this is not a distorted picture of contemporary life. The grateful people are in the minority, True gratitude begins, with God and all lesser gratitudes spring from that, It is when our hearts flow over with thanksgiving that we find God. The story of the ten lepers begins with the tragedy of ten men who had had to face the heartbreak of leaving families and home comforts to wander through the land as unclean outcasts. It ends with tragedy that nine of them, who had just received in their own lives a demonstration of God's power and goodness, could take it so casually and so much unmoved. Yet, this ungrateful attitude still prevails today. Think of the blessings which come so freely into our lives and into the lives of people everywhere. Jesus tried to bring home to us the generous openhandedness of a God who shows no partiality, who doles out His gifts after the fashion of It is the task of this columnist to reflect the social needs of today and to beget response. Here then is a potpourri of items of seemingly some importance from various recent sources. + + Norway has set limits on its oil production. Ninety million tons a year is the expected production, This is ten times Norway's needs but will allow production over 100 years. Here is an attempt to prevent economic distortion, the drawing of people from small- town industries in the north and from farms in the south to lucrative positions in petroleum production. + + "The whiteman has two ways of getting rid of Indians who make trouble for him: he puts, them in prison or in the mental hospital. Stay away from the mental hospital. If you go to prison you always know how much time you have to do; but you never know when they will let you out of the mental hospital," Thus a British Columbia Indian counselled his grandson. Indians often mistake psychiatrists questions as in- terrogation by the police. Questions useful in obtaining openness and frankness in a whiteman usually have the op- posite effect in an Indian. One psychiatrist finds the Indian's love of story and myth very helpful in establishing a meeting ' place for mental healing, + Worry about money? That is all to the good. Listen to psychiatrist, Dr. Bennett Wong. "Because growth haS', to take place on the edge of anxiety, worrying about money can be a healthy thing if it stimulates you to positive ac- tion." There seems to be a tendency for people - especially young people - to think that everything will work out just fine, Some greater power or older relative Will intervene at just the right time. Dr, Wong comments on these expectations, "Wimp security lies outside a person, this closes down a part of that person." "It's important for an individual to develop his own feeling of self.confidence, an internally generated thing, so rewards. Meritorious conduct does not produce the benefits, and failure does not mean the gift is withheld. "No," says Jesus, "God makes the sun shine on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust," There is an overflowing impartiality about His dealings with us. Perhaps that is why we take His gifts for granted. They come readily, dependably with such regularity that we cease to wonder at them. Even those of us who claim to recognize the gift and the Giver, who owe our allegience to Him, even we show a strange forgetfulness. So often when we get whEit we want we forget, like the nine lepers, to come back to say "Thank you." Often children are ungrateful to their parents. Of all living creatures man requires the longest time to become able to meet his needs for life. In our infancy, a week's neglect would kill us, and there are long years when we are dependent on parents for literally everything. Yet, the day comesehen an aged parent is a nuishee, Children forget the debt they owe. We are ungrateful to our fellow men. Few of us have not at some time or other owed a great deal to someone else which is impossible to repay. At that moment we think we could never forget. Yet the sad thing is that we do so casually let it pass from our memory. We are ungrateful to God. In our terrible need we pray with desperate intensity; time passes and we forget. Perhaps Christ as He looks around in our churches today still asks sadly and a little amazed, "Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" The bests thanks we can give God is to try to deserve His goodness and His mercy a little better, and to sing with the Psalmist, "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits." that he knows that he can take care of himself no matter what happens." Encouragement for the en- vironmentalist and con- servationist is gained from the unanimous agreement of fishing nations to cut their fish take by an average of 40 percent on the Grand Banks. There is but one forseeable problem. Overfishing is bound to take place in other parts of the world. Only an international agreement of some scope seems practical, It is also prophesied that the 200 mile limit regarding sovereignty over coastal waters will soon be the reality for most countries. ++ + It is noteworthy that while many items of political and broadly social issues are found in the front sections of our daily papers, items concerning the family, health, and new social and psychological findings are largely reserved for the Women's Section. + + Young people today have at- tained a better quality of thinking while their language is im- precise. Students are "very oral." They speak much but their standard of literacy has slipped. There seems to be greater poise and confidence in com- municating. Literacy does not seem to be necessary for success. A good secretary writes letters correctly. Anyway long distance phone calls are rapidly replacing letters. + + "We must play the role of God," This is the opinion of Mr, Lester Brown of the Worldwatch Institute in Washington. He was speaking of the fact that North America has become the one last large source offood for the world. He was pointing to the necessity of Canada and the United States to encourage responsibility among the nations in food matters. Only those "countries that co-operate to solve the world food problem through responsible national actions can share our food", is his desired policy, • + One way we can contribute to the feeding of the nations is the simplification of our diet, This is especially true of meat from grain-fed cattle, VteerefeRrimes-Abuoeate SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A.,O.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited Editor — Bill Batten — Advertising Manager Assistant Editor — Ross HatIgh Plant Manager Les Webb Composition Manager — Dave Worby Business Manager — Dick Jongkind Phone 235-1331 AANSVOIt'A.A<MWMUMMEW Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 I I T r Vim:Ea ft= mr=g0 atm.,. It •.rfT- a MI r, .,---MiLr'=rosamr—Twe .....mmensonson Our response to now By ELMORE BOOMER Counsellor for Information South Huron For appointment phone: 235-0560 Potpouri