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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1975-04-09, Page 6j! I is Sugar and Spice by Bill Smiley Around here, it's one of those grand end-of-March days, with the sun pouring down, the air positively balmy (about 40 degrees), the defeated snow clinging grimly to the shadowed corners, and that lovely smell of rotten earth that precludes spring. If it were fall, of course, and the temperature were the same, we'd be saying: "By, George! Nippy enough, ain't it. Looks like winter's not far off." But at this time of year, thy weather is more a state of mind than a matter of' temperature, and all across the land Canadians go slightly hysterical with the jubilant certainty that once more they have made it through that masochist's delight — a Canadian winter. With the first relaxing -of those icy tentacles, we go a bit haywire. Rubbers are kicked into a corner. Sweaters and scarves are hurled into closets.Babies are plunged into prams, And we all come down with a spring cold that is only slightly worse than the vicious one we nursed all winter. Typical example. This morning was garbage day. Just because the sun was shining and it wasn's snowing, I nipped out in my pajamas and slippers to deposit the plastic bags. It was a trifle nippy, but the sun was shining and there was that ineluctable essence in the air. I Winked at a sexy squirrel in the cedar tree. I made a V-for-Victory sign at Old Sol. I hallooed at a beautiful crow. I stopped to stroke the cat, who was lying in the mud, basking. And I've been sneezing and blowing ever since. No matter. Winter is over. Those long black nights and those short white days are gone for another six months, and, as far as I'm concerned, fill up the bowls and let joy resign unconfined. Usually, we straggle into spring with' nothing more hilarious than a slight lessening of despair, but this year the old lady and I ended winter with a gallant fillip. Some, would call it a flip. As you know, if you are keeping up with the social news, we "took up" cross-country skiing this spring. Most people take up sports during the season, but we don't operate that way. As I recall, we took up golf in the fall, after the leaves had begun to tumble. Anyway, we took to skiing like a cat takes to nip, and in no time we were arguing about what kind of wax to use (we have two kinds, red and black) and clumping around in our boots like real skiers. Our timing was perfect. On what turned out to be the last day of skiing for the season, we took a shot at a hill. Or maybe it was the other way around. It was a long, straight hill: no trees, no rocks, nothing that a capable six-year-old couldn't handle with both hands in his pockets. We were certainly polite enough. It was: "You go first, you're the man." And: "No, no, dear, Ladies firSt, you know." - As usual, was out-manoeuvred. I steeled myself with recollections of driving a bicycle head-on into a cow during, an English black-out, of diving into a hell-fire of German anti-aircraft fire. I took off. One thing I dislike about skiing is that thdre are no brakes. You can't even drag your feet. Well, sir, the only way I can describe my descent of that slope is hell-bent. Squatting like a kangaroo in labor, eyes rolling, I went down there at what I reckon was about 140 mph. And. I made it. No ignominious tumble. No splits. Thirty feet from the end of the run, all danger behind, I straightened up, waved one ski-pole nonchalantly and turned my head to see if The Chicken. was impressed. Just then the snow, with unbelievable crust, rose up and smote me a mighty smite on the head. My cap flew off. I knew I wasn't in hell, but I sure felt bent. I lay there, quietly uttering words. I haven't heard since my Dad used to go down and beat the coal furnace with a shovel. I ,heard a scream. "At least she knows I'm dying," I thotight bitterly. "Boy, is she going to be sorry for some of the things she said to me, over the years." Then I heard another scream. "Bill, get out of the-way! I'm going to run over you " Wrenching my broken neck around, I looked uphill. There was a dark figure flying toward me. It looked like a witch, but it was riding two' broomsticks, instead of one. Then the broomsticks began to part, in what seemed slow motion, and I knew the witch -was going to split right up the middle unless the nightmare ended, It did. I woke up. The witch was dead. One broomstick pointed straight in the air. The other was pointed back up the hill. There was silence, Then: "Are you all right?" And: "I don't know.Are you?" And: "I dunno. think I'm gonna cry." (That was me). Boy, am I glad it's sprhig, and there's no more skiing until December. But skiing certainly tones you up. 1 can now touch my toes with no problem at all. I use a yardstick. And my wife can knit like a demon with one h and.She got good at it while her left arm was in a sling. 4„c R. Juni • other Th turali 'girls must ment withs effort part inter plans caree • TIMM/La IF YOU HELP WE CAN HELP GREY VG Married 50 years ?? Are you having a 90th birthday ?? - We are anxious to carry a story with a picture of your 50th wedding anniversary and of your 90th birthday. So that some arrangements can be made we ask your co-operation in advising us as far in , advance as possible of such events • While, other than in exceptional circum- stances, we will not be able to use, pictures of wedding anniversaries of less than 50 years, We do want a story d such anni- versaries. Please forward details as soon as the event is held. russets Post Phone 88/4641 at the Post Publishing HOW! *MOW ONTARIO s1 Shouting match Horticultural under a new hoine improvement scheme, being available to Brussels. A grant of $29,000 is possible. The reeve, clerk Bill King and Councillor Ten Pas will attend a meeting on the grants in Kitchener April 29th and report back to council. Jack Cardiff; Sec'y Treas. Edwin A committee of council has Martin; Directors: Gerald Smith, toured the village to see where Emerson Mitchell, Ray Adams, street lights were needed, the John Boneschansker, Lloyd meeting learned. Sites suggestedWheeler, Murray Hoover, Bob include the United Church corner Higgins, Merle Freeman, Keith and a brighter light at the fire hall Williamson. corner. Parking bylaws will be discussed at a committee meeting at a later date, council learned. Councillor Stretton, who was challenged at previous council meetings on his knowledge of voting procedures to be followed in passing a Council's number 1 by-laW, read a letter from Municipal World which supported him on some of the questions On council procedures he had asked previously: Reeve McCntcheon said that he didn't pretend to have a lawyer's knowledge of procedure but said previous councils had been proven by their administration of village business to be efficient managers. APRIL 9, 1975 ,(Continued from Page 1) Junior, K-4 and Senior 5-8 and increased prizes to $10, $8, $6, $5 -and $5. Officers and ,Directors of the Agricultural Society are: Pres. Fred Uhler; 1st Vice Pres.. Graeme Craig, Ind. Vice Pres. FAIL BECAUSE YOU Know WHAT' YOU WAnir our op &Fe; AND iris' olitvibuS You WANT" NOVING: Area Funerals Councillor Ten Pas said that he was disappointed that Mr. Stretton, as an ex-reeve and ex-councillor, would disrupt a council discussion. Reeve McCutcheon commented after the meeting that ti seems Brussels council is developing a two party system with the Official opposition being. Councillors Stretton and Jutzi. "This opposition is not in any way constructive or useful", the reeve said, Before the interruption Council beard Huron County planner Gary Davidson discuss procedure for enlarging the area zoned industrial on the- Village's official plan. Mr. Davidson suggested mapping the area involved and then talking to landowners. he will come to the next council Meeting to discuss the changes further. - Council will investigate the possibility of provincial money, 6—THE BRU85E1.5 POST, DONALD STEWART CURRIE Donald Stewart Currie of 'Brampton, died, after a brief illness at Princess. Margaret Hospital, Toronto on Thorsday, April 3, 1975. He was born in Morris Township, the son of the late.Mr. and Mrs. Russel Currie. His residence was Brussels until 1961 when he moved to Brampton, Ontario. Predeceased by his wife, the former Janet McLean, he is survived by three sons, Barry of London, John of Orangeville and Douglas of Brampton. He is also survived by a sister Mrs. Allan (Betty) McCall of Walton and three grandchildren, Cheryl and Rhonda of Orangeville, and Jamie of Brampton. The body rested at the M. L. Watts Funeral Home, Brussels, until Monday, April 7 when funeral services conducted by Rev. Le Drew were held at 1:30 p.m. Temporary entombment was in Brussels Cemetery Chapel with burial later at Brussels Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tom Pletch, Tom G arniss, Jack Lowe, Joe Brewer, Bill Stephenson and Al Logan. The flower bearers were Ross Duncan and Graham Work. Beaver Beaver is (Continued from Page 1) outside of the building since Brussels' Centennial year", the clerk said. The beaver crest is probably 100 years old, and was salvaged from a desk drawer to decorate the village office that year, Clerk King says. Clerk King says the theft is regarded as serious and said he hopes anyone knowing where the beaver symbol is will report it to his office. "We hope it will be returned." GIVE GENEROUSLY DR. McCRACKEN WILLIAM ALLEN IL V,Sc,, D.V.M. On Monday, April 7, 1975 al Mount Saint Mary's Hospital, Town a Lewiston, DT, William McCracken, husband of Phyllis Irene. Daymond, 6390 Huggins Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario died, He was the father of Mrs, Roy Hunchberger (Frances) of Quebec. Grandfather of William, Marty and. Brock. The deceased is resting at the Funeral Chapel of Hetherington and Deans, 5176 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, Ontario for service in the Chapel. Wednesday, April 9th, 1975, at 4:15 P.M. Cremation to follow, Donations to the Ontario Heatt. Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Dr. McCracken was a former Brussels resident. Stop paying for. cheques If charges for the cheques you make are costing you a substantial sum each year, bring your savings accounts to us. Here at Victoria and Grey any account maintained at $1,000 or more gets absolutely free chequing privileges — as many as you want. Makes sense? Makes money, too! `Member Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation TRUST COMPANY SINCE -1889 W. W. Cousins, Manager Iiistowel, Ontario 11 f A gat gr he g rog rac oun on) ntet eve n a As pe selec he/s activ opera Agric oppo ciati with art To r Onti produc eceivc liffunecdt7 In a o eutiurn dr an o ng Bo' stated Board 'roduc m cnoecrr aid, rs ion o1 eas creas cers' in hose o ease v een r me wit onditi effects equire income Mr he ne uarant ilk so head. "The conorin cLaug he price order o igher t The i rice is he tot utter wart, p) airies a heir rer OVCrtIrn ontrollii rice at mount ddition s depej °111Petit "For clang! now W rice inC The redweli or raw ot $10 1 2.01 p 6rtherr tutdreszt undred, 9 (Continued from Page 1) interrupted the meeting. Mr. Stretton Sr. was called out of order by the reeve and asked to retrain himself or leave the meeting. Shouting and name calling followed . sc