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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-06-20, Page 17Colonials lose! Sanders Tavern steals bed race title An old feud was revived Saturday when the Sanders Tavern team snatched the "Great Grand Bend Bed Race Title” away from the Colonial Hotel Team. The two teams battled hard to be bed champs, and the situation was complicated when an imported team proved to be a serious contender. The Queen’s Hotel came all the way from Seaforth to steal second place, as the Sanders team struggled to the top. Last year’s title holders, the Colonials, placed a miserable third. Pre-race tension was high, especially when runners learned that it might take several heats to determine the winner. The starting lihe was conveniently placed in close proximity to the Liquor Store and the first stretch of the race was an easy downhill run towards the beach. Sewer construction resulted in new pavement for the race, thus eliminating water traps and pot holes. The course took the beds around the cul-de-sac at the end of Main Street, and the final stretch was the most difficult with a steep uphill climb. Some teams were By MARY BLEWETT I'flaiirw9®o When I was a freshman at Western I figured that anyone who had a Masters degree had to be a super brain. Now I know different, because they even gave one to me. I was hoping that when they dropped the hood over my head I would feel more intelligent. But it was a very hot and humid day and all that hood did was make me more uncomfortable. It was June 9, and I was being "admitted” at the University of Western On­ tario Convocation. But even when they gave me that much conveted piece of paper that reads "M.A.”, I still didn’t feel any different. On that particular day all the students who had previously earned a degree were graduating. Mornings of convocation days are set aside for rehearsals. I felt I didn’t need to rehearse the moves, since I had just made the same walk across the stage a year ago for a B.A. in honors English. I guess the rest of the graduates had decided to opt out of rehearsal, too, judg­ ing from the sarcastic com­ ments from the professors who organized the event. So here I was, along with about 599 others who weren’t quite sure what we were supposed to be doing. We formed a long line in the basement of Alumni Hall. One fellow, whose surname started with an A and was therefore allowed to lead the procession, glanced back at the long line of black gowns. "Look at all those M.A.s, must be a dime a dozen,” he said. Immediately he was be­ ing hammered by several mortarboards. The most important ad­ vice that our professors gave us when we started the processional was to acknowledge the university chancellor when we walked by him. When my turn came, I spoke to the elderly gentleman. He shook my hand and congratulated me. I was told later that in the “good old days” the chancellor would always ask the graduate where he was working. I guess now he knows better than to bring up the subject of jobs, because too many of the grads receiving Masters degrees that day are unemployed. In fact, I’d venture to say that far too many of them had gone to school to earn a Masters degree because they were unemployed when they received their B.A. I wondered the same thing about those who were becoming Doctors of Philosophy. Successful Ph.D. candidates have the titles of their thesis printed in the convocation brochure. This provides some enter­ tainment for bored parents who are only there to see five minutes worth of one kid. For example, one new Ph.D. had earned his title by studying the hind legs of a tadpole. Other thesis might have been equally as in­ wise enough to have relief runners waiting to step in at the foot of what many racers called the "mountain.” The Sanders team was dressed alike in crisp white T-shirts bearing their em­ blem, while the Colonial team chose to dress more casually. During pre-race warm-ups many by-standers recognized the Queens Hotel team as pros in the bed race business because of their uniforms. In control of the team was a hardy young man dressed in light blue baby'doll pyjamas. He was backed by a staff in delicate nighties. A pre-race favorite was the bed operated by the Lambton College Lions from Sarnia. The pink wooden structure featured large bicycle tires, and looked as if was built for speed. Unfortunately a crash in the first heat crippled the college team, and forced them out of the race. The loss of a foot board caused two of the large bicycle wheels to crumble No serious competition was presented by the other entries in the race-- Wondergrove Cottages and Baskin Robbins. Small teresting, but the long Latin (or whatever) names of projects were unreadable. Since being handed a diploma didn’t have a profound effect on me, the highlite of my day was visiting with my former classmates to find out what they’d been doing since school ended seven weeks ago. You see, the gloom of un­ employment was not as thick over my fellow jour­ nalism grads as it is in other disciplines. The majority found jobs, even if some are only summer positions. My cohorts -who- majored in print journalism have had almost no difficulty in get­ ting jobs. Those in broadcast journalism are finding the field a little tougher to crack. Some employers favor community college graduates for radio and television work, saying that an M.A. is over-qualified. I was a little apprehensive about how my job with Bluewater Country would stack up against some of the work my classmates were doing at big city papers. I needn’t have worried — I wouldn’t trade my Grand Bend beat and working at the T-A for any of their jobs. One of my friends has gone to the Toronto Globe and Mail, which should have been a thrill. Unfortunately she is doing sports, (which she hates), and working 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (which she hates). She is surviving the summer by telling herself what good experience she’s getting. ’ , Another girl has gone to the Winnipeg Tribune — an up-and-coming daily paper. But she’s only doing hard news, with no chance to work on feature stories. Two fellows have gone to work at daily papers, and never get out of the news room. They’re doing shift work, just like in a factory. They spend eight hours sit­ ting behind a video display terminal editing stories on a computer. Another classmate has gone to a promising weekly paper in Alberta. Unfor­ tunately, he is only allowed to be a reporter. He never gets to take his own pictures to go with his stories, nor does he help with the lay­ out. , And the list goes on — some grads felt they weren’t getting enough experience, others felt they were being asked to do too much. Few were enjoying their job as much as I am. And, if you’ll let me brag a bit, I was the only one out of the 33 students who made up the class of ‘79 who had her own column. One of my professors wondered if any of the grads of the U.W.O. school of journalism in re­ cent years were columnists. Well, even if I didn’t feel any different after getting an M.A., my mouth knew better. The next day after the degree was conferred on me, my "wisdom” teeth started to come in. Therefore, I’ve concluded that an M.A. is a pain in the gum. wheels and slow pushers put these two entries in the rear, although both beds were well decorated. There was fear that the Junior champions would move into the senior category and present some competition, However, the uphill struggle proved to be too much for the young group, despite a valiant effort. Junior (age 14 and under) bed race winners were the group from Bluewater Motel in the Mean Machine. They handily beat the Southcott Pines Pros, in one run. The The junior winners received $25 in cash, and free T-shirts from the Surf Shop. The Mean Machine with its unique design of three wheels in the back and one in front also received the award for the most original entry. They featured a vicious looking mouth complete with fangs bared on the front of their rig. The young group was given $25 for their original design. The Southcott Pines Pros’ bed was judged best decorated. It was the only bunk bed entered on Saturday and was camouflaged in tree bran­ ches. Paper streamers completed the refreshing wooded look. The Pros received a $25 prize for their decorations. Moe L’Heureux of Labatt’s Breweries presented the Bed Race award from his van on the. beach. The Victorious Sanders team won $50 cash and trophies from Labatts. The Queens Hotel and Colonial teams won Labatts beer mugs for their efforts in second and third position. After the presentations many of the winners and runners-up celebrated in the Burgerfest tent. There was some talk in the Colonial camp of demanding a rematch. A spokesman for the Colonial team said that his scouts had information that the Sanders team had used pre-race stimulents. He said he was going to demand that urine and saliva tests be done on the Sanders contestants. He felt that all entrants should comply with Olympic bed racing rules. Under pressure the San­ ders team confessed to a champagne breakfast. Some entrants were suffering the repercussions of he unusual breakfast combined with the running effort. It was not determined that the Colonial’s demand for a rematch would be con­ sidered. Nor were officials sure that any rules had been broken. FLYING SAWDUST — Xavier Boogemans tries out one of the smaller models in Saturday's chain saw contest at Grand Bend. T-A photo Buzzing of saws draws large crowd There were 16 entrants in Saturday’s chain sawing contest which was held near the Legion Hall. Contestants were classified as to the size of the motor and then were timed while cutting through logs. Winners in the various categories were as follows: 40cc-Bill Rock with a Poulan in 29 seconds. 50 cc-Roger Farrington with a Homelite in 41 seconds. 60 cc--Bill Rock with a Poulan in 24 seconds. 70 cc-David Desjardine with a Pioneer in 30 seconds. Captain of the Sanders team, Jerry Sanders Jr., attributed his team’s victory to the lucky horse shoe they found before the race. Sanders said that as he was preparing his bed for the race, he found an old horse shoe half buried in the sand. The horse shoe was put under the mattress, and went the distance with the team. "We just wanted to beat the Colonials,” was Sanders comment after the race. Sanders said that their team spirit was excellent and that their tastefully decorated bed was a big help. "And we’re gonna keep the title,” Sanders predicted. He wasjconfident.thAt his team will be back in top position next year. Another member on the Sanders team, Bob Case, felt that he had been a big asset to the team. Case said that he was Sanders’ number one draft choice this year. Case ran with Colonials last year when they Were victorious. Despite Case’s apparent dedication to the bed race effort, rumours say that he has a greater interest in the Sanders establishment than merely racing beds. Meanwhile in the Colonial camp, diehards were already planning a comeback. "We’ll take it in ’80,” soon became their slogan. One team member suggested that next year they would take off the one square wheel. A team spokesman said, "We’re gonna win, even if we have to cheat.” Plans for a better showing next year include practise runs, and an early Friday night curfew. Several Colonial con­ testants felt that they could give the race more class. One idea offered was that next year the team could wear rented tuxedos and walk the race pushing a brass bed in white gloves The determination to make a come back onthepart of the Colonials gave their corner of the Burgerfest tent the appearance of an "Animal House” rerun. Another suggestion for next year’s race was to follow it up with a toga party. ■ ..„ 4-. - But the Sanders crew have a sure-fire method to keep the title. Next year they plan to put a mattress on the top of an Austin Mini and hide the car with decorations. Organizer Brad Page questioned the integrity of such a move. Page was pleased with this years race, and hinted that perhaps next year a special grudge match could be held between the rival Colonials and Sanders. 80 cc-Doug Fuller with a Stihl in 28 seconds, 120 cc- Doug Fuller with a Stihl in 30 seconds. Two man-Cecil Desjardine with a Murcury in 29 seconds and open mofified-Larry Desjardine and Rick Britnell with a 40 horsepower motor in 13 seconds. Organizers Stan Lovie and Gordon Brown said they were pleased with the tur­ nout and hoped to have another such contest in the fall, as well as at next year’s Burgerfest. THE AGONY OF DEFEAT — Dejected and miserable after their crushing loss, members of the Colonial bed racing team try to convince themselves that all is not gone. John Gaiser, Don Gaze, Bob Case, Larry Mason, Arly Sanders, John Musser, Brad Murray, Al Knight, Mike McCann, Brad Datars, Cam Anderson and Reid Burley plan their comeback despite the fact that some spies from Sanders are in their midst. T-A photo Page 1A Price Per Copy 25 Cents SUN SHINES ON BURGERFEST 1 •** u.v "The weather^ couldn’t have been better!” That was the comment from Chamber of Commerce President Nick Carter when Burgerfest hubbub finally subsided. A spokesman for Labatts said that their best salesman was doing well--the sun. And the whole village of Many wins in canoe race The weather co-operated beautifully when 41 entrants in the canoe race launched their fleet at the tri-county bridge near Greenway. The paddlers followed the Ausable River to Grand Bend as part of the Burgerfest activities. Winners in the canoe race were as follows: Village Inn Retreat Annual Trophy, 1st David Desjar­ dine, Stan Lovie 1:12, 2nd Tony Mennen, John Van- denburg 1:19, 3rd Shane Burley Doug Jennison 1:24. Junior - Grand Bend Lions Annual Trophy, 1st Rob Thomson, Jim Thomson 1:15, 2nd Greg Hinton, Steve Green 124:30, 3rd Jamie Armstrong, Felicety Morgan 130:20. Ladies - Crown Sport and Trophies Annual, 1st Cathy and Donna Armstrong 1:22:15, 2nd Linda Knight Barb Pletch 1:36. Men’s Amateur - Cheryl- Ann Annual Trophy, 1st Isaac Enns Neil Enns 1:10, 2nd John Courtney, John Henderson 1:10:30, 3rd Danny Brownlee, Donald Romphf 1:11:30. Mens Ad. Amateur - Ausable-Bayfield Conser­ vation Authority 1st Peter Roger Harbocian 1:06, 2nd Jim Duncan, Don Verhaeghe 1:06:20, 3rd Joe Farwell, Dwayne Mather 1:10:30. Couples - Rene Boogemans Annual Trophy 1st Murray Bremner, Mary Ellen Knight 1:10, 2nd Stephanie Klobucar, Ed Tait 1:12:15, 3rd Luie Duncan, Max Zupan 1:13. Kayak -Gord Kirk Annual' 1st Gunther Kippert 1:04,2nd Tony Risler 1:08,3rd Joe and Robbie Gentleman 1:08:15. Expert - Chamber of Commerce 1st Warren and Rene Boogemans 58:10, 2nd Michael Laing and Tom Burnso 1:00:10, 3rd Sid Strange and Ted Cowan 1:02:30. Grand Bend seemed like a carnival for one of. their busiest Burgerfests ever. Carter admitted that there were a few internal problems with the promotion, organization and timing of events but most of them were successfully pulled off. Most businesses were reporting that sales were excellent over the week end according to Carter. Even taverns, restaurants and take-out food places enjoyed above average sales. Carter says that the Champber of Commerce is always con­ cerned that the Burgerfest will interfere with some of their member’s businesses. "The whole town had to benefit from the overflow,” Carter says. Chamber clerk Bob Simpson says that the Burgerfest achieved at least one of its two goals. The main idea behind Burgerfest is to bring visitors to Grand Bend during an "off” week end, and show them a good time. The second purpose of Member* of the Sanders Tavern team show their elation on winning Saturday’s bed race T-A photo JUNE 20, 1979, Burgerfest is to raise money for the work of the Chamber of Commerce. It will be a few weeks before expenses are paid, and Burgerfest profits are tabulated, Simpson says. The week end started at noon Friday with a luncheon. Three friends make finals Bathing beauties welcome Grand Bend’s beach was covered with bathing beauties Sunday, but 18 in particular received special notice. A contest sponsored by Native Tan sun tan lotion attracted a large mostly male, crowd to the beer tent during the afternoon when the 18 contestants went on parade. The girls ranged in age from 14 to 23 and all were dressed in bathing suits. They were judged in three catagories-posture and appearance, attitude and of course, the style of the bathing suit. The panel of judges were made up of members of A craft show featuring local talent was held in a vacant lot on Main Street. The bed race, chain saw contest and beer tent were Saturday’s highlights. On Sunday morning a canoe race and a yacht race were held. The Grand Bend’s Chamber of Commerce and represen­ tatives from Native Tan. The contest was open to anyone, and all that was required was a quick walk across the stage. Some girls enjoyed the stroll and ap­ plause that went with it, while others appeared very embarassed. The audience was friendly and receptive, and every contestant received a warm welcome. Judges chose five finalists from the 18 girls. After some delay a winner was picked. Shelley Glenn, 17 of Michigan received $50 cash Playhouse served brunch on the beach. Beauty con­ testants attracted the af­ ternoon crowd. But despite all the other activities, the beach, burgers and beer were still the main attractions. from Native Tan. and the title of Burgerfest Bathing Beauty. First runner-up was Barb McDonald, 23, of London. Stephenie Cornell, 18 of Michigan, Janet Currie, 21, of London, and Annette Stowe 17 of Michigan took third, fourth and fifth places respectively. The three Michigan girls who were among the finalists were friends who had travelled to Grand Bend together for the week end. After such an exciting time, and being chosen winner and runners-up in a bathing beauty contest, the girls said they were sure to come back.