HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1975-09-24, Page 4Sugar and Spice
by Bill Smiley
Just a few more notes on my trip to
Saskatchewan. If you are bored, turn to the
classified ads.
That's not just a wisecrack. A western
publisher who runs my column, said:
"You're right up there with the classifieds,
when it comes to readers."
"Thanks a lot," I muttered rather
dourly. Turns out it was a compliment. The
classified ads are the best-read part of my
weeklies.
Anyway, perhaps the nicest thing I can
say, about Saskatchewan is that I'd love to
go back, 30 years younger, and with two or
three months to spend.
After I got home, I discovered I have a
horde of cousins in Saskatoon, and they're
going to be sore as hell when they learn I
was there for a few days and didn't call
them,
But that's my problem, and maybe
see some of them at the great Thomson
family reunion at the "old homestead" on
Calumet Island in the middle of the Ottawa
River next month.
It's easier to get from here to England
than it is to get from here to Calumet
island, but I'm going to bust a gut trying to
make it. My grandfather was sli demaster
there in the great days of lumbering on the
Ottawa and most of my western kinfolk
sprang, originally, from his stalwart loins.
Speaking of loins, 1 didn't see any in
Saskatchewan. But I did see a bald-headed
eagle, as well as a few bald-headed editors.
Either it was a bald eagle, or a dirty
great crow who had just had his hair dyed
blonde. As far as I'm concerned, it was an
eagle, just as that pike I caught not weighs
just under 16 pounds.
And those western crows! I spotted a
vast black bird skimming through the
spruce. "What in the name of dear Heaven
is that?" I enquired. "Crow," muttered
our laconic guide, Ovide, rather
contemptuously.
Laster • I learned that these "crows",
which look about the size of a Canada
goose, are really ravens, about three times
the size of a common, or eastern crow.
I also heard some wolves, but they
turned out to be young Indians, and the
wolf calls were directed at pretty young
Indians of the opposite 'sex.
Ovide, the guide, didn't, I am , sure,
realize that he was named after a famous
Roman poet of erotic verse, but he had
some of the characteristics. "Caught a real
big fish last night," he averred, straight-
laced, outlining with his hands the shape of
the fish, which was more of a bird .than a
fish, to my thinking.
Let's see, what other great adventures
did I have? Oh, yes. I met a prairie farmer,
in his seventies, who was up for the
fishing. German background, solid type,
figured to be a gentle man, and he had the
most appalling string of profanity I've
heard since I left the air force.
Did you ever see 'a law student try to
change a flat tire on a big bus? Nice lad.
Had been in the Mounties, couldn't st and
the crap of the upper echelons, who are
still in the Victorian age,. had quit, was
going through law school, and then was
going back into the Mounties, to try 'to do
something about it. Stout chap and I hope
he makes it. But he sure had a battle with
that tire, while we stood on the road and
watched the perfect Vs of geese starting
their long trek south.
Away up, there in the northern wilds,
where the call of loons and the snort, of a
moose are to be expected, I was startled.
Went to a lodge with the rest of the gang
and wound up playing shuffleboard and
shooting pool with a great fire in the
fireplabe. I felt sort of disconnected.
It ain't cheap up there. Brought a rate
card home with me. A modern cabin runs
$120 a week. Boat, about $50 a week,
Motor, about $60 a week. Plus gas, bait,
fish filleting, fish freezing, and food. A
fishing guide is about $20 a day, but worth
it. I had all this for zilch money, thanks to
the government of Sask. and my good
hosts, the Martins.
But on the other hand, it's not really
expensive, if shared by a group. That cabin
held eight people, or could have, and was
completely furnished and heated. A
crumby cottage in Ontario, on an over-
crowded beach, with no fishing, could cost
as much or more.
Back to Saskatoon after a 10-hour-bus-
ride, and everybody exhausted. Some of
thOse crazy, intrepid westerners took off
for home. "Oh, it's only 280 miles."
Got wangled into a lobster dinner, when
all I wantred was bed and a warm glass of
milk. Ordering lobster in Saskatoon is like
going to Halifax and saying: "Bring me a
big western steak." Stupid.
Missed my flight home. Called the old
Trouble 'n Strife, who was expecting me
that night, 1,200 miles away. Cost me $13.
Woke up in the morning with a heavy chest
cold and a feverish feeling that I'd been off
to another planet for a week.
But I wouldn't have missed it for the
world. It's not every day you see a
bald-headed eagle.
Craigs honoured at anniversary
one grandson Bruce Craig.
The wedding party of 25 years
were all present including both
mothers, Mrs. Ada Craig,
Huronview, and Mrs. M ary Clark
of R.R.2, Brussels,
Relatives and friends were
present from Stoney Creek,
Guelph, London, Mitchell,
Listowel, North Bay', Brussels,
Walton and Blyth.
4-H girls call club
the" Bread Winners"
The officers of Belgrave 4-H
are: President Cathy Walker;
Vice-President - Bonnie Walker;
Secretary- Donna Chettleburgh;.
Press Reporter each girl in turn.
Joan Leishman discussed
yeast, sugar, salt , shortening,
liquid and flour. The group also
discussed freezing dough.
At their second meeting in the
WoMen's Institute Hall on
September 15 the group opened
With the 4-H pledge and motto,
The toll calf was "A basic
ingtedient and what it does".
The next meeting will be held
On September 22.
SEPTEMBER 24 i87`5
The girls discussed a name for
the club and decided on "Dread
Winners". The colour of the
books will be brown.
Joan Leishman discussed
baking bread, Mrs. Johnston
discussed how to bake the bread.
Mrs. Johnston demonstrated
how to make basic white bread.
All the girls tasted the bread and
liked it.
Every week More and more
people discover what mighty jobs
are accomplished by low dOst Post
Want Ads. Dial Brikisels
.881--6641.
j
r
it
About 100 relatives, friends
and neighbours gathered at Blyth
Memorial Hall onFriday evening
for a surprise 25th Wedding
Anniversary party for Mr. and
Mrs. Bill Craig of R.R.2, Blytt
The early part of the evening
was spent playing euchre and
games and a short program
followed consisting of the
"Auctioneer Song" by Graeme
Craig, a humorous poem by Louis
'V an Lammeren also some short
speeches of the wedding party of
25 years ago.
Bill and Isabel thanked
everyone for coming and making
the evening a very.erijoyable arid
pleasant surprise for them.
A delicious buffet lunch
followed. Mr. and Mts. Craig
have a family of five children,
Ross married and is with the
Ministry of Transport of North
Bay; Nancy, R.N., Toronto
nursing at Sick Children's
Hospital, Murray of London in
second year Mechanical drafting
at Parishawe College, Boger and
Mary at hoMe. They also have
4,-THE BRUSSELS POST;
Correspondent
Mrs. L. Stonehouse
"Changes are good, the
unused mind like the unused attic
gets cobwebs in the corners",
was the theme for the Cultural
Activities meeting of the Belgrave
Branch of the Women's Institute
on September 16,
There was, a good attendance
of members and visitors to share
program planned by Mrs. Stewart
Procter, The roll call , "Which
has more influence on a child's
upbringing - home, school or
church was answered by nearly
all the members agreeing that the
home has the m ost influence on a
child but that the school and
church definitely have an effect
on her or him too.
Mrs. George Michie gage an
address on Japan, giving the
topographical features of the
country, the climatic conditions,
the industrial development
especially since World War H.
Mrs. Stewart Procter and Mrs.
George Procter had a display, of
Japanese garments and a bride
doll which proved very
interesting.
Mrs. H.English of Wingham
had a demonstration of flower
arrangements, using the
Japanese theme to illustrate her
talents. She also had a display of
crafts which she had, made., She
was thanked and presented with a
gift by Mrs. Stewart Procter.
Mrs. Stan _Hopper presided for
the business portion of the
meeting. Plans were made for the
Huron County Rally of Women's
Institute which will be held in
Belgrave W.I. Hall on October 6
with registration at' 9:30 a.m.
Mrs. Stan Hopper and Mrs.
William Coultes are the delegates
to the Rally and Mrs. Ivan
Wightman was appointed
delegate to area convention which
will be held in St. Thomas on
October 15 and 16. There was
some discussion on the resolution
which will be brought up at the
area convention. It was agreed to
cater for two banquets in
N ovember,
The committee to arrange the
making of salads for the opening
of the Co-Op Store on. October 16
are Mrs. Clarence Hanna, Mrs.
M. McDonald, Mrs. Leonard
James and Mrs. Lorne Jamieson.
Mrs. William Coultes
announced that a Variety Concert
sponsored by the Begrave W. I.
will be held in the hall October 28
and it is hoped the community
will make this venture a success
by attending.
The next meeting will be, held
in W.I.Hall on October 21st with
Mrs. Glenn Coultes and Mrs.
John Kerr in charge. Mrs. Stan
Hopper, Mrs. Dan Hallahan,
Mrs. Nelson Higgins and Mr.
Herb Wheeler served lunch and a
social half hour was enjoyed.
Personals
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Bolt
visited at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. IRaymond Bolt and farnily. of
HanOyet on Sunday.
A' former resident of the
community, Di', Donald Watt will
be guest speaker at Belgrave
United Church Anniversary On
Sunday morning at 11 a.m. , Many
people will remember' Donald
who spent each slimmer at his
Uncle Harry McClenaghan's
home, Donald was a missionary
doctor for several years at Bella
C6O1 a and Otittii Charlotte Island
and is now Superintendent of
Hospitals and Medital. Work. for
the Unitedthurch of Canada: He
lives inVarattitiVer,
the Belgrave M
provide special
Ada Webster of Lucknow,
Mr. Allan Campbell is a
Windsor, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur
Andrew of Kapuskasing and Miss,
history of Church Union in our
community
,
Olive
Mrs.vi sWi t oa rl tse r
.last
S c
,
The evening service etrveikce waitthp8apmti,nelrns
Campbell
will
were Mr. and
Mrs. Alex Andrew of Lncknow
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Gardnerof
will also attract many
be given
people a as
Choir will
music and a
by
t
in Wingham and District Hospital,
We welcome Mr. and Mrs,
Clarence Yuill to their of eirn mewonhtorernael
in thers village.
John McKee
Ni
is visiting with her sister Miss
Margaret Curtis of Wingham and
District Hospital and is staying
with her sister and brother-imlaw
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Procter.
Visitors during the weekend at
the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Clarence Rath were Mrs. Pearl
Shaddick of Hensall, Mrs. Larry,
McCabe of Goderich, Mrs. Karen'
McVittie of Auburn, Mr. and
Mrs. Wilfred Glazier of Clinton
and Mrs. Hazel Wiggins of
'Brantford.-
Many residents of this
community accompanied the ,
Belgrave Men's Choir to Stratford
on Sunday evening to hear Dr.
Robert McClure who was '
speaking at the Mission Festival'
held there. The men's choir,
provided special music.
Mr. and Mr.s Lewis Cook and
Mr. and Mrs.Clarence Rath
returned home last weekend from
a weekend motor trip through'
Michigan and Northern Ontario.
We are sorry to hear that Mrs.
Harold Jardin is a patient in
Wingham District Hospital.
Mrs. Robert Campbell,
Pamela, Doug and Dianne of;
Winthrop visited with her mother
Mrs. Robert Hibberd last
Wednesday afternoon.
On Saturday evening Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Hibberd attended a '
gospel sing program in Huron
Secondary School, Clinton. I
The North Huron L.01. hadt
charge of the church service in
Huronview, Clinton on Sunday
evening. Rev. Fred Carson was
the speaker. A number of people
from thisarea attended the
.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bibbed
visited with Mr. and Mr.s Warren
Zurbrigg, R.R.2, Clifford,
Mrs. William Van Camp was
able to return to her home from
TthheuWrsdiriagy
morning.
hamDistrict Hospitaloo.
Mrs. William belly of
Winghamwithm.and r r visited asst. ThursdayHarry
McGuire.
Mrs. Arnold Halliday of
Wingham visited with Mrs.
Amelia Brown last Thursday,
Mr. arid Mrs. George M.
Johnston
tiGrasby
afid Tara of Wert"
spent ',the weekend with Mrs.
Laura Johnston and Mr. and Mts.
Robert
Mrs. Faye Hoggart and famil
Y
.
3fWingnvisitedwiththelr aunt, M.Telford Cook on
Sunday
evTenhieng.H i-C met at the 1161" d
Doreen Taylor's on Sunday;
vr!shiedentelec.!edporeefftenCe 1g.syloerr
,
tTreasurerportet Scott.wayLnoeu geit:Oekd, I Pre Ss,
Secretary ,; Gary nopy—
1))TT gh
hee next
eed at 7dis
le6deuptis.iisnige wp bh:
October 5 at the h ome of DO
Ways in making theneY
r.
I Belgrave WI hears
Unused mind like
cobwebs in attic