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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-12-18, Page 28Thursday, Friday and Saturday Volume III Club Albatross Huron Industrial Park Phone 228-6733 HEATED POOL • MR. MRS. MISS. BOX Please send the Exeter T-A as a Christmas gift to: I Iv- 1.0 I ,4 •tAr SIGN MY GIFT CARD I • "'-` I A.50 A Jolly Way To Remember Your Friends and Relatkles This Christmas is to send Subscriptions to the Times-Advocate. They are easy to order, last all year, and the cost is small. Each gift will be announced in your name with a beautiful card in full rich colors, mailed to arrive at lust the right time before Christmas DO IT NOW Call 235-1331 or mail this handy coupon to 6referZinesakmocafe*Mill 850EXETE R 235-1331 In Canada 0 ONE YEAR $9,00 0 NEW 0 PAYMENT ENCLOSED 0 RENEWAL Each Additional Subscription $8. 0 TWO YEARS $17.00 c, In U.S.A. — 1 yr. $I 1.00, 2 yrs. $21.00 PLEASE PRINT ADDRESS DONOR'S FULL NAME ADDRESS Subscription Certificate $ 0.i,,r.clotv,Kag..4 Remember . . . The Exeter Times-Advocate is YOUR NEWSPAPER LTD. Whalen annual meeting • elects new officers by Gordon Bagley This is a story about a bar. I go to bars sometimes. I go to hear the stories — everybody has a story in a bar. Bars are the first stop down from the land of the living; that's why they are darkly lit. The most important thing to remember about the bar is the bar itself, People who sit at the bar are a separate species from those who sit at tables — the stndents and boyfriends and girlfriends — the people out for a good time, People who sit at the bar tend to be walking wounded. It's not pleasant to think about, but it's true , I have left the gray ghost in a parking lot across the street. It is raining and snowing as I flick my cigarette into an ink- black puddle. Neon streetlights are mirrored there. The red ember dies. I wait for a hole in the traffic and when one occurs, lope across the street and enter through a green door into a dark interior. The air is warm and damp with smoke and beer; voices blend, hum like an idling machine. There is only one stool vacant at the bar, and easing into the saddle; I take it and order a Black and White. Barnie is busy as usual — he is the bar-tender; a little guy going bald with a face that makes you want to like him. Barnie has seen all kinds sit at his bar — from university professors to bums to journalists like myself. He doesn't say much but he makes a point of saying something. He wears a doctor's half-coat with a white choke collar that buttons at the back. Barnie ad- ministers patent medicine to people with something to drown in their brain, something that burns their conscience or their heart; something they want to extinguish; like the cigarette I threw in the puddle. I say, "hello," and BaFnie says the same. Barnie and I rarely talk to each other. It may sound, incongruous, but some journalists don't have much to say — at least when they're not on the job. Mind you, when they are on the job, they are often accused of saying too much, but that's another story. You might say I had the blues. You might say I was drinking Black and White because Scotch with a name like that is intrinsic to my craft — dark words on white paper — you might say I am moody. But most of all I just wanted to relax, It was 11:30 p.m.; I wanted a drink and then. I wanted to go home and sleep. I listen to the small talk at the bar. Nobody mentions Christmas here; you can bet most of these people would probably like to forget the whole thing. Now myself, I like Christmas, it gives the children something to look forward to. Christmas is important for most people — it's a time for "brotherhood," The boys at the bar were quiet tonight. One guy has a pair of sunglasses on, "He must like it really dark," I think. He is contemplating his glass of beer, His hands are clasped in front of him and his elbows so touch the bar that a perimeter around his beer is formed by his arms. No one is supposed to in- vade that territory except Barnie, and he does so only when summoned. Mammon riles here. It buys you friends, medicine and privacy in a crowd. It lets you be bored in peace. This is what the people I talk to say to me, and they say it so often, I almost believe them.. . The guy beside me pays up and leaves. Then the guy beside him Wal I y's CHINESE GARDEN Main St. Exeter PHONE 235-0464 does the same. It's the first time since I arrived there's been a hole in the bar — like two teeth missing. Then she comes in and sits down next to me. I notice her at first because the cold, outside air, trapped in her coat, flows from her like fresh, invisible gas. She must be 45 and she smokes like a gun of the same calibre. "Give me a double shot of CC, Barnie," she says. Barnie says, "hello." Before she can reply, a guy maybe in his 50's sits down in the vacant seat beside her. "Flo," he says, "com'mon down and have a drink with us." Flo doesn't know, him. She doesn't want to know him. "No thanks buddy," she says, "I'm in a bad mood today, I think I'll just stay here." She turns back to Barnie, "Where's that CC!" she says. Barnie gives it to her and turns away to make change. The other guy has slid quietly off the stool beside her and goes back to his friends. Flo looks at me. I can see this out of the corner of my eye, but I don't let on, because when Firr in a bad mood, I don't want to talk to anybody. "I'm feeling sick Barnie," she says. Her voice is a lost child's. Barnie smiles like father Christmas and asks her where she's been. "I've been every place in town, Barnie. I can't get feeling better." "Well, it's early yet, Flo," Barnie says, leaning back on the bar, knowing very well that pontificating to people like Flo just insults their injury. "But I started feeling this way when I got up Barnie," she says, shuddering when she swallows. "Barnie are we still friends? Do you still like me Barnie?" "Sure we're still friends," Barnie says, smiling his best- friend smile, "does that make you feel better Flo?" Flo doesn't answer and Barnie goes off down the runway to serve another customer. Flo has two more drinks while I am there. On the fourth occasion, she catches Barnie's eyes as he heads toward the cash register gleaming like an idol in the darkness, "Gee, Barnie, I'm feeling better now," she says, "I'm going home Barnie." Barnie saysXtbat's good Flo," rand watches her lift her bulky body from the stool and make her way to the door and most likely, the next bar down the street. Barnie shakes his head so slightly it is almost im- perceptible. He looks at me. I finish the Black and White. "Another,' he says ;quizzically. It's the witching hour 20 days before Christmas, "No thanks," I say, "I'm going home too." .... • ••• . By MRS. HAROLD DAVIS Mr. Tom Atthill of Uranium City, Sask., visited his brother Mr. & Mrs. Norris Atthill this week, and his mother Mrs. Vera Jarvis in St. Marys Memorial Hospital. Saturday night guests with Mr. & Mrs. Norris Atthill were Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Atthill and family, Exeter, and Mr, Tom Atthill, Uranium City, Sask., Mrs. Joan Massicotte, Toronto, Mrs. Bernie Hervieux and Mr. Larry Lafeneer of Algoma Mills. Kirkton United Chourch held their Sunday School Christmas party Sunday afternoon with each class taking part, Rev. Grant Dawson acted as chair- man. All Sunday School children received a candy bag. St. Pauls Anglican Church congregational and Sunday School Christmas dinner was held Sunday. The children en- tertained following, Snowmobile Racing at its Best... SEE THE PROS. IN ACTION AT BULL G ", U I, Varna, Ont. between Hwys. 4 & 21 '5000 HURON CUP DEC. 2 7th & 2 8th OPEN DAILY Saturday, Dec. 20 Country Caravan .By MRS. HAMILTON HODGINS VVHAI.EN The annual meeting of the Whalen Community Club was held at the Centre on Friday evening. The. following officers were elected for the coming year: president, Mrs. Florence McRobert; vice president, John 4. Damen; secretary treasurer, Mrs. Barbara Wallis; trustees,. Bill Morley, Hamilton Hodgins, John Scott; auditors, Margery Morley, Barbara French; promotional committee, Audrey Hodgins, Mareen Scott, Marjorie Mills, Personals Mr. & Mrs. Everett Hicks, Barrie are spending a few days with Mr. & Mrs. John Scott. Mr, & Mrs. Bob Molnar and family of Dorchester were Sunday night visitors with Mr, & Mrs. Ernest Ferguson. Cpl. & Mrs. Don Davies and family of Port Lambton, Donald Davies and Debbie Summers of Wallaceburg, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Mills of Centralia, Bruce Mills and Betty Johnson, London, were Sunday evening supper guests with Mr. & Mrs. MacLeod Mills. Wednesday evening Mrs. Ernest Ferguson opened her home for the Ladies Auxiliary meeting. Mr. & Mrs. Earl French were Saturday supper guests with Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Bryan, Granton, Mrs. & Mrs, Ernest Ferguson visited Sunday with Mr. & Mrs. Ken Zavitz, Thedford. Saturday night supper guests with Mr. & Mrs, Hamilton Hodgins were: Mr. & Mrs. Austin Hudgins, Mr, & Mrs. Lawrence Hodgins and Mrs. Gwen Grose, all of Lucan, Mr. & Mrs, Vincent Hodgins, and Mr, & Mrs. Lyle Worrall, Denfield. Mr, & Mrs. Earl French were Sunday night supper guests with Mr. & Mrs. Thos. Hern Jr. of Zion, By MRS. STAN PRESZCATOR Mr. & Mrs. Stan Preszcator spent last Wednesday with Mr. & Mrs. Harold McCallum and family, RR 4 Walton. Mr. & Mrs. Stan Preszcator spent Sunday with Mr. & Mrs. Paul McCallum, RR 4 Walton, also visiting them were Mr. & Mrs.. Harold McCallum, RR 4 Walton, Mr. & Mrs. Archie Willis, Mr. & Mrs. Ken Sholdice and friends of Brussels. Alimony is an exc'ellent example of a give-and-take af- fair. Open Mon. 10 til 12 midnight Tues. 10 til 8 p.m. Wed. 10 til 12 midnight Thursday 10 til 12`midnight Fri. & Sat. 10 til 2 a.m. Sunday 12 noon til 8 p.m. For The Finest CANADIAN and CHINESE FOOD Green Forest Motor Hotel YOUR HOSTS "PETE" and "CAROLE" DEITZ HIGHWAY 21 — GRAND BEND • EVERY YEAR — Santa listens to thousands of Christmas wishes from young children across Canada. On Saturday he was in Exeter at the T-A office to find out what local youngsters wanted to find under their tree this year. Shown above are Kelly, six and Jason, two, children of Mr, and Mrs. Ron Hern, Huron St., Exeter. T-A photo Page Times-Advocate, December 18, 1975 Ghost parked, another Christmas minus 20 sandeRs SEVBRAT RESTAURANT AND DINING ROOM. Grand Bend LIVE ENTERTAINMENT CHRYSALISS Fri., Dpc. 19 to Sat., Dec. 27 (Closed Dec. 24 & 25) BUSKER Mon., Dec. 29 to Sat., Jan. 3rd. Join us for New Year's Eve 238-2251 "OPEN MONDAYS" DURING CHRISTMAS Sat. Night Only Timothy DOMINION HOTEL ZURICH 236-4371 •