HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-06-23, Page 4WOW.
Taking Canada for granted is one of our
national pastimes, that and discussing the
weather, the latest sports scores and
what's for supper.
It is no secret that Canadians are
apathetic, at least on the surface, when it
comes to expressing ourselves about
Canada, But that is changing.
Canada Week 1977 from June 25 to July
1 is the eighth consecutive year that
Canadians from coast to coast and in the
northern territories will be celebrating all
things Canadian. Through the happy
celebrations of Canada Week we are forg-
ing a new kind, of nationalism, A unity out
of diversity.
Last year Canadians in about one thou-
sand communities all across this great land
participated in hundreds of activities in
celebration of Canada, This phenomenon
must surely represent one of the greatest
grass roots efforts by thousands of
volunteers from one end of the country to
the other. The spirit that motivates these
people is as diverse as the activities of
Canada Week itself,
To some, it is fostering pride. Pride in
the accomplishments of their community
and the country. To others, it is a time to
remember, To reflect on our cultural
heritage and diversity. A time to show off
the skills and the culture their ancestors
brought to this country.
Or it is time to meet others, from
neighbours to people across town or across
the country. A time to realize that there
are things which bind us together as
Canadians.
To others, it is a celebration. A party.
A time to set aside the day-to-day problems
and concentrate on the positives.
To some,it is a simple and quiet
manifestation of faith. Faith in the country
and a renewal of a deep determination to
keep Canada united come what may. To
recognize that there is a bedrock of unity
which can never be shaken. That problems
of graphic differences, regional disparities,
language and cultural differences are pre-
sent but will never shake the foundation of
one Canada
Hundreds of thousands of people
around the world would like to live in
Canada, because Canada is a country with
a dazzling potential. Canada is a blend of
the old and the new. It combines North
American initiative with the qualities of
other civilizations to make a unique Cana-
dian way of Life.
We must make certain it stays that
way. And that is why the Council for Cana-
dian Unity organizes Canada Week and en-
courages Canadians at this birthday period
to show pride in Canada, promote national
unity and encourage dialogue and un-
derstanding among Canadians.
Canada Week can be a remarkably
positive force. It is a time of tolerance,
goodwill and understanding. It is also a
time for thanksgiving - Canadians have
much for which to be thankful,
As a Canadian, what can you do?
You can fly a flag, or dance, sing, twirl
a baton, or march in a parade. Say hello to
your neighbour from across town or across
the country. Take a trip or sponsor a stu-
dent exchange.
But, whatever you do, put your heart
into it!
Keep your head
Someone falls into the water and
screams for help. There is no standard
lifesaving device handy. What do you do?
Here are some tips from the Canada
Safety Council.
The first thing you don't do is jump in
after the person unless you have been train-
edln life-saving! There is often something
at hand which can be used as a flotation
device — a thermos jug, a capped water
can, a plastic cooler, even the spare tire in
the trunk of your car — if you think fast and
keep your head. Empty the container,
reseal and toss it within reach of the person
in trouble.
The spare tire is buoyant enough to
support four or five persons even when
mounted on the heavy steel wheel. Since it
is too heavy to be thrown, swim and push
the tire in front of you. Keep the tire
between you and the person in trouble so as
to stay clear of his panicky clutch. When he
has grasped the tire and calmed down you
both can hand paddle to shore.
A visit from the boys
0/49,904EirlarrimNfiutiniu.
•s•
`fie ecefeamett-Atruorate
SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND
C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A. CLASS 'A' and ABC
Published by J. W. Eedy Publications Limited
LORNE EEDY, PUBLISHER
Editor — Bill Batten
Assistant Editor — Ross Haugh
Advertising Manager — Jim Beckett
Plant Manager — Jim Scott
Composition Manager Harry DeVries
Business Manager — Dick Jongkind
Phone 235-1331 Published Each Thursday Morning
at Exeter, Ontario
Second Class Mail
Registration Number 0386
Paid in Advance Circulation
September 30, 1975 5,409
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $11.00 Per Year; USA $22,00
GUARD AcAusr
•
Acupuncture and Apricot Pits
NEWS ITEM: Arctic drilling authorized
. ,
Page 4
Times-Advocate, June 23,1977
Put your heart into it
Bike test should be compulsory
This was supposed to be a
probing inquiry into what laws
Canadians break most, and why
they break them. But it's too
danged hot.
What a country! Just a few
weeks ago, you could get free
ice-cubes from those 10-foot
icicles hanging from your roof.
Today the refrigerator can't
keep up with the demand for
them.
That horrible heat wave we've
experienced coincided with a
visit from The Boys. The com-
bination practically put Gran and
I on our knees, and we're just
now recovering gingerly from an
ordeal that would have put us in
our graves, had we been 10 years
older.
It's not that we can't stand the
heat. And goodness knows, The
Boys are a treat, But because
you can stand driving doesn't
mean you want to drive 800 miles
a day. And because you enjoy ice
cream doesn't mean you want to
eat nothing else for two weeks.
Mother of The Boys, our Kim,
was in the process of writing the
last of her university essays and
thought she'd pop up home, have
a visit, get some free baby-
sitting and finish her essays, A
nice thought.
But The Boys had other ideas,
After being cooped up in a city
apartment for the winter, they
wanted some action, and there's
always action at Grandad's at
"the big house," as it's known.
Little Balind, the younger, was
supposed to be quiet and con-
valescent after a serious illness,
Little Balind, after about one
day, was as quiet and convales-
cent as a Mack truck with Dr.
Jekyll's alter ego at the wheel.
After about three days, he had
pulled a lamp over on himself,
put a permanent gouge in the
coffee table, knocked over the
fire screen (twice), fallen off a
bed on his face, lost a knob off
the Tv set, sprinkled a can of
talcum powder over the entire
upstairs with a triumphant grin,
and smashed several dishes by
hurling them to the floor from
his high chair, his signal that the
meal was over.
Of coarse, after his illness he
had practically no appetite, so
feeding him was no problem. It
only took the three of us adults,
one cooking, one shovelling it in,
and one cleaning up the debris, to
stave off his hunger.
He'd start off with a banana to
keep him from perishing while
you were cooking his bacon and
eggs. Then it was a scramble to
get his toast and honey ready
while the eggs were vanishing.
Licks off the honey, hurls toast
on the floor, stands up in his high
chair and wipes hands on Gran's
newly-decorated wall, Then out
of the chair and on to Grandad's
knee for a few more bites of egg
or muffin or whatever. This
would go on all day, punctuated
by apples, cookies, swigs of ap-
ple juice and bits of cheese to
keep his stomach from rumbling.
I made the mistake of sticking
my little finger in his mouth
once, Thought he was getting
some more teeth and that I'd
give, the gums a little rub to ease
the pain. He dam' near took the
end right off my finger. That kid
is a natural for the wrestling ring
or the football field,
No such problem with the
other guy, Nikov. He is a dainty
eater, can feed himself, and sits
up at table, propped on a fat
book. No problem at all. Except
that he won't eat. Meal time is a
game, If he gets wieners and
beans, he wants milk on it, then
it's too cold. If you're out of
eggs, he wants scrambled eggs.
If you have apple juice and fresh
grapefruit, the only thing he can
stomach is orange juice. He can
make a half-hour ceremony out
of eating one strand of spaghetti.
There's no malice in it. He just
enjoys manipulating three fairly
intelligent adults, like three
puppets, one cajoling, one
threatening, and one furious. We
took turns.
Occasionally whisked off to
bed without any dinner, he'd be
quiet for a 'few minutes, then
paddle downstairs and say he
wanted his supper, But he
wanted chicken, and you'd had
stew.
At first they were a little peev-
ed that Grandad had to go off to
work every morning. The old one
wanted me to take him to the car
wash, one of our favorite excur-
sions, The little one just wanted
me to take him and yelled. So I
instituted "Kiss Time." I lined
the whole gang up, wife,
daughter, two grandboys, got
them to pucker up and went
down the line with a kiss for
each. Very popular routine. You
have to be crafty with kids.
For a few days, the weather
was cold, and all they could do
was make the inside of the house
look as though Attila and his
Huns had just laid waste a
village,
Then the heat wave struck.
Their mother is one of those new-
fangled ones who think that
children should be allowed to ex-
press their creative faculties
regardless. The Boys poured into
the back yard like the Saracens
pouring into Spain, and created.
I'll say one thing for them.
They didn't set fire to the stoop,
or the fence. They couldn't have.
They discovered Grandad's hose,
and where to turn it on.
Everything was so wet after a
few minutes, you couldn't have
started a fire with gasoline.
I'd come home from work, and
there'd be two naked tots, soak-
ing, mud from head to toe,
watering each other, their
mother, the lawn furniture and
any stray animal, human or
It must have been slightly dis-
appointing for the Exeter
Kinsmen and police department
to have only 30 local youngsters
compete in their annual bicycle
rodeo.
While it's basically a fun event
for the kids with a bit of competi-
tion thrown in to make it in-
teresting, bicycle rodeos also
serve a most useful purpose in
that officials on hand are also
able to put the two wheelers
through a safety check.
However, even more impor-
tant, is the fact the competitors
are required to display their
knowledge of the rules of the
road, as well as their ability at
handling tight corners and main-
taining their balance as they
squeeze through narrrow
pathways.
Considering that there have
already been three accidents in-
volving bicycle riders this year,
plus numerous near misses, it is
difficult to comprehend why
local parents don't put more
pressure on their kids to enter
the rodeo,
We would even go so far as to
suggest that entry into the rodeo
should be made mandatory and
perhaps this is something the
Kinsmen, police and school of-
ficials should consider for future
events.
Each class at the two local
elementary schools could be
tested and reports on their
strengths and weaknesses could
even be prepared so their
parents would have some indica-
tion of how dependable their
offspring are when they head out
on their bikes.
No doubt some parents could
be quickly enlisted to help out
with the rodeo if manpower was
a problem because of the
numbers to be tested.
Riding bicycles on busy streets
requires a considerable amount
of knowledge and ability, but too
often it is left strictly to chance,
and the results are occasionally
tragic.
Bicycle rodeos conducted un-
der police and adult supervision
help to impress on youngesters
the need for proper care and
handling of their two-wheelers
and if they won't enter rodeos on
a voluntary basis, then serious
consideration should be given to
otherwise, that came in range,
It took only half an hour to
clean up. That, along with two
hours at feeding time, and about
two hours at bath and story time,
and an hour to recuperate, took a
fair chunk out of the day.
Now they're gone and I miss
them terribly. Nobody to run
over, jump on my arthritic foot
and butt me in the stomach.
Nobody to make me read the
longest fairy story in the entire
book. I can hardly wait to see
them again, Maybe Christmas?
For a day?
making them mandatory as part
of a school program.
To continue on about the antics
of some of the young people in
the community, there are a cou-
ple of frightening things happen-
Perth, Ontario
Dear Sir:
In April, my book entitled
"Bilingual Today, French
Tomorrow" was published by' the
small but courageous firm, BMG
Publishing Limited, 60A
Industrial Road, Richmond Hill,
Ontario.
Public response was im-
mediate and sympathetic. Then
on May 13, on an open-line radio
program from Niagara Falls,
Ontario, I was advised by the
head of the French-Speaking
Association of Ontario that every
effort was going to be made to
suppress it across Canada. In an
unguarded moment this same
man admitted that his
Association is funded by the
Canadian Federal Government to
the tune of three hundred
thousand dollars a year. In other
words, the French-Speaking
Association of Ontario, which has
its counterparts in each of our
nine English-speaking Provinces,
is virtually an extension of the
Federal Government, working
steadily and purposefully toward
Mr. Trudeau's now obvious goal
of a French-dominated, and
eventually a French-speaking,
Canada. As the result of that
conversation there is no doubt in
my mind that every imaginable
form of pressure will be brought
to bear on store-owners and
managers across Canada to
prevent my book getting to the
Canadian public.
During my 28 years in
Canada's Armed Forces, I firmly
believed that Canada stood for
freedom of speech, including the
right to dissent, Under Mr.
Trudeau, I am no longer sure. In
view of the threat of suppression
made against my book, I would
appreciate an opportunity to ask
those Canadians who still value
their personal freedom to drop
into their local book stores or
book counters to determine for
themselves whether this sup-
pression has been put into effect.
If it has, I would ask that they
object strenuously, for their
freedom to dissent is as
threatened as mine.
Yours sincerely,
J. V. Andrew
Lieutenant Commander
(Retired)
Amalgamated 1924
ing of which parents should be
concerned,
One is the practice of setting
fires at wooden fences, store
doors and even in camping
trailers.
It shouldn't be necessary to
elaborate on the hazards in-
volved, but it is obvious that
some parents should /be a little
concerned and more inquisitive
as to the whereabouts and ac-
tivities of their offspring.
The other situation involves a
new "game" intown using
homemade bazookas. Basically,
it is performed by taping some
pop cans together, adding some
lighter fluid and shooting tennis
balls sky high.
Unfortunatley, there is a
danger that some youngster is
going to get shot sky high instead
of a tennis ball one of these days,
or the cans will split apart and
cause some serious injuries.
It may be fun to watch balls
soar almost out of sight by use of
the home-made bazooka, but un-
fortunately the perpetrators of
such antics don't appear to
realize that anything with that
much power can inflict some
serious harm to themselves or
innocent bystanders.
On the brighter side of the pic-
ture, it is encouraging to see the
interest being displayed to swim
lessons in the area communities.
By the end of the summer
season, many youngsters will
have progressed tremendously in
their swimming ability and will
therefore be much safer around
water, which is a natural attrac-
tion for kids.
However, most kids seem to be
of the opinion that once they
learn to swim well enough to
cavort around the local pool,
they have progressed far enough
and drop out of the instructional
programs.
Unfortunately, they miss out
on the many advantages of
progressing right through the
system of badges available under
the Red Cross and Royal Life
Saving courses. In the higher
categories, the emphasis turns to
stamina and life saving ability,
and obviously those are at-
tributes which are beneficial.
Graduates also become eligi-
ble for teaching and life guard
positions and with summer jobs
becoming increasingly scarce, it
is an avenue that should not be
overlooked by area youngsters.
Many of them don't have
anything better to do for an hour
on a hot, summer day anyway,
and the cost involved in this "job
training" course is extremely
reasonable.
And finally, a move in the
other direction, and con-
gratulations to three area
ministers who have achieved
some long service records,
Father F. J, Bricklin, formerly
of St. Patrick's near Lucan, and
Monsignor Bourdeau, formerly
of St, Peter's at St. Joseph,
recently celebrated 50 years of
service to the church.
Both men are well known in
our readership area and have
contributed significantly to all
aspects of community life in ad-
dition to their ministry.
And, of course, this Sunday will
mark the observance of the
retirement of the Rev. Harold
Snell from the ministry,
Members of the Exeter United
Church congregation will be
staging a worship service and
picnic at Riverview Park and
Rev. Snell will be preaching his
farewell address after 41 years
in the ministry.
One of the most popular clerics
to serve in this area, Harold's
retirement will certainly not be
cheered by the inhabitants of
area trout streams.
55 YEARS AGO
Last Thursday, the ceremony
of the stone laying of the new
Crediton Methodist Church took
place. Rev. G. W. Rivers, chair-
man of the district, presided at
the well-attended occasion. Rev.
Walter B. Millson, London, was
the principal speaker of the
afternoon. The Trustee Board
stone was laid by John Sherritt,
Granton, The Ladies' Aid stone
was laid by Mrs, Mollard, Exeter
and the Sunday School stone was
laid by J. M. Southcott, Exeter.
The old building on Main
Street, recently purchased by C.
F. Hooper has been torn down.
Mr. Hooper will erect a store and
residence on the property.
The bowlers were on the green
Tuesday evening for the first
time this season.
Rev. Blatchford unveiled the
Soldier's Memorial, and Rev.
Gordon Butt unveiled a window
in memory of his father, Rev, W,
H. Butt a former pastor at Cen-
tralia at the second Sunday of
services held in connection with
the opening of Centralia Church,
Rev. J. E. Reycraft, Goderich,
preached at both services, which
were well attended.
30 YEARS AGO
Clark Fisher was elected
DDGM at a district meeting of
the Oddfellows.
Exeter has joined a baseball
league with Centralia,
Dashwood, Lucan, and St.
Marys. They also joined a soft-
ball league with Centralia
RCAF, Clinton, Goderich,
Seaforth and Wingham.
Close to 1,000 fans attended the
opening of the Huron-Perth
baseball season at Dashwood
May 24.Dashwood was defeated
by the Lucan Irish Nine 18 to 14.
It was the first team fielded by
Dashwood in 20 years.
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs.
Eli Coultis, who celebrated their
50th Wedding Anniversary Mon-
day at their home. Many friends
called to offer congratulations.
Ten Honour Graduation
Diplomas were awarded at the
annual commencement exer-
cises of Exeter District High
School, held in the arena Tues-
day evening
by JIM SMITH
A few years ago, a noted ,
American doctor-cum-writer
named Lewis Thomas was
asked to comment on the
state of his country's medical
care. "These are bad times
for reason, all around," Mr.
Thomas replied wearily."Sud-
denly, all the major ills are
being coped with by acupunc-
ture. If not acupuncture, it is
apricot pits."Apricot pits are
the basis for laetril, a cancer
"cure" held in low esteem by
medical authorities.
Which brings us to the ill-
ness that has befallen the Ca-
nadian Confederation. Like
the man said, these are bad
times for reason. The federal
government, facing sickness
within the body politic, has
taken to treating this unhap-
py situation with the politi-
cal equivalents of acupunc-
ture and apricot pits.
Witness the current bally-
hoo surrounding "Canada
Day" and "Canada Week"
(our old friend, Dominion
Day, all gussied up for a new
generation). Throughout Ca-
nada Week, but particularly
on Canada Day, July 1, there
will be federally-encouraged
celebrations throughout the
nation. Famous Canadians
will be whisked back to their
hometowns at government
expense to lead local festivi-
ties. There will be parades,
concerts, dog races, and ca-
noe trips. Then, on the eve-
ning of July I, the C13C will
spend more than $1 million
to show us Canadian enter-
tainers doing Canadian things
in Canadian regions,
The government hopes
business will get involved in
this distinctly unspontan-
eous celebration. If the gov-
ernment has its way, Cana-
dians will be wearing "Cana-
20 YEARS AGO
Air Vice Marshall J. G.
Bryans, CBE, CD. air officer
commanding training command,
arrived at RCAF Station Cen-
tralia Tuesday, May 28, to carry
out his annual inspection of the
base. The whole station was on
parade Wednesday morning to
start the inspection.
Official nomination proceeding
for the upcoming federal election
were conducted Monday, Elston
Cardiff, Brussels, is again
nominated as Progressive
Conservative candidate. He has
been sucessful in the last four
Dominion general elections. He
will be opposed by Andrew Y,
McLean, Seaforth, who was his
Liberal opponent in 1953.
Some 100 Scouts and Cubs from
15 communities in the area are
expected to take part in the
Huron District Rally at Exeter
Community Park this Saturday,
About 100 persons attended a
banquet at Armstrong's
Restaurant, Tuesday evening, on
the occasion of the ladies' night
of the Exeter Lions Club.
15 YEARS AGO
Five people from Exeter and
one from Dashwood were among
the 30 persons who became Cana-
dian Citizens at a ceremony in
Huron County courthouse last
week. Those receiving their
papers were Mr. & Mrs. John
Roelofs, Mr. & Mrs. William C.
Van Amerongen, all of Andrew
St., Brigitte J. Minderlein, Main
St., and Magdaline Creces,
Dashwood.
The summer season got off to a
record start when an estimated
20,000 people visited the popular
summer resort at Grand Bend
over the holiday week-end.
Mayor W. E. Simmons turned
the first sod in a brief ceremony
conducted Sunday at the site of
the new Precious Blood Separate
School, which is expected to be
completed for September open-
ing.
Earl Douglas, London, a
Bayfield summer resident,. an-
nounced his intention to contest
the federal seat in Huron riding
as a Social Credit candidate. It is
believed to be the first time that
four candidates have sought the
seat.
da, I Want to Shake Your
Hand" T-shirts while eating
Canadian birthday cake
while listening to the sappy
Canadian Day theme song
which is expected to domi-
nate our national airwaves.
The Canadian Federation
of Independent Business was
on hand when the govern-
ment announced the pro-
gram. The organization is
still marvelling at the shal-
low thinking behind the pro-
posals. Though the Federa-
tion and the government arc
in agreement on the impor-
tance of Confederation and
the need to develop strong
emotional ties that will bind
the country together, there
is considerable disagreement
over methods.
The Federation believes
that the federal government's
national party ignores the
root causes of Quebec's inde-
pendence movement. Que-
bec's unrest stems from eco-
nomic problems;the province
wants to control its own des-
tiny and to provide better
job opportunities for its fran-
cophone majority.
The problems facing Que-
bec, however, are the same
problems facing other Cana-
dian regions; only the lan-
guage of Quebec obscures
the similarities. Every' region
of this nation needs greater
self-sufficiency and more lo-
cal enterprise. The govern-
ment can't simply gloss over
this issue with candies, bal-
loons, and flag waving.
Canadian nationalism will
arise naturally as Canadians
come to grips with the basic
economic threat to our sur-
vival. Nationalism isn't some-
thing that can be sold, like
pork and beans, with show-
manship and fluffy commer-
cials, Strong. leadership does
not come out of ad agencies..
Atoi
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Times Established-1873
Advocate Established 1881