Loading...
The Brussels Post, 1976-06-09, Page 7Sugar and Spice by Bill Smiley A crashing bore Recently, we watched the Emmy awards, presented from Hollywood by the television industry. It was a crashing bore, right in the midst of a television season that is stultifyingly dull. Despite the opportu nity to show what a fascinating medium television can be, the show, which seemed to go on interminably, had almost nothing to display aside from elegant costumes and fancy coiffures. Can you think of anything less exciting than platoons of writers or directors, or sound men, or whatever, trotting up to a stage, receiving a shiny trinket, and speaking, every one of them, into a microphone with the deepest sincerity, thanking their wives, their children, their mothers, and eighteen guys named Max and Hymie for the fantastic honor they were receiving? In an era of women's liberation„ it was significant that in this showcase for the biggest entertainment industry in the world, very very few women won awards. At least when the film industry presents its Oscar awards, amidst the stream of inanity, one can count on two or three witty masters (or mistresses) of ceremonies. How would you like to be a Mistress of Ceremony, gentle reader? It sounds sinfully delicious. But the television industry was content to hire two of the biggest grins in the business, John Denver and Mary Tyler. Moore. They looked beautiful, and they grinned and grinned and grinned, butsthe entire evening had abbut as much wit and sparkle to it as a. convention of undertakers; probably less. Only attempt at humor during the evening was a feeble one, with a tired stand-up comedian telling the same old tired gags. There were one or two attempts at dignified speeches amid the tawdriness and the "Gee, Mom! I won!" atmosphere, but they were quickly drowned in the molasses as various personalities lined up to pat each other on the back and burble, "I'd just like to say this was a real team effort, and everyone pulled together, and I just want to thank my director, my producer, my network, our wonderful camera crew, our sound people, our writer for a fantastic script, our tremendous cast," and so on and on. Some of them. thanked everyone but their clog, their dentist and their hairdresser, who probably had more to do with the award thanany other factors. ltwas pretty hard to take just a week of ter the Stanley Cup playoffs, when we heard the same sort of sentimental mawk from coaches, players and sportswirters, until some of us, including yours truly, wanted to vomit. And maybe that's what's wrong with television today. Don't tell me there's nothing wrong with it. What's your special pleasure tonight, for example? Will, it be a re-run of All in the Family or a re-run of Bob Newhart or a re-run of Cannon or a re-run 'of Dr. M arcus Welby? Or perhaps you'd prefer a re-run of a re-run of Adam 12 or Gunsmoke? Or maybe you'd like to see that great movie, Flying Tigers (1942)? For the fourth time. In this country we have the CBC, for which I once had a good deal of respect. It produced, first, excellent radio. When television came along, it was right in there with good comedy, drama, and variety. The brightest writers and talent in the country were sought out. No they're all in Hollywood, and all the good, gray corporation can come up with, despite its frequent resounding promises, are exhausted antiques such as Front Page Challenge and This Is the Law. I won't mention such creakers as 'the Tommy Hunter Show, and. Hockey Night in Canada, because I don't want to lose three-quarters of my readers, but surely, surely, just because •a show went well ten years ago doesn't mean it couldn't be improved. Nope. The CBC has turned chicken. It's afraid of parliament, ratings and controversy. As for the garbage that pours in over the border, and is so often grabbed by Canadian networks and asdvertisers, words do not suffice to describe the dreariness of most of it. • ' Is it too late for television to be saved, or to save itself? In my opinion, yes. Why ? Because. it has built up, in the past couple of decades, starting with children, a " mindless audience which will turn on the tube, let its jaw drop slack, and watch any garbage shoved in front of it. As long as it's in color. I. don't give a rip, personally. I'd rather read a good book any time. But my heart bleeds for the hundreds of thousands.of old people for whom it is the only bit of- life they have, and the hundreds of thousands of children who will m ake it part of their lives, They are being treated as morons. As I said, I don't care.. But one more "spin-off" from the Mary Ty ler Moore show and I'm going to take an axe to the set. LPHA wants members SAY HAPPY Father's Day With the ideal gift from, our large selection Leisure & Sports Suits Slacks Shorts Shirt & Ties Pajamas Socks Everything to make a FATHER'S DAY to Remember MAIN: CORNER CLINTON 4814132' THE BRUSSELS POsT; JUNE .1! -4 • 1910 r "Itt Huronview Members of the Clinton Christian" Reform congregation formed a choir to lead the Sunday evening song service led by Dick Roorda. The residents enjoyed the annual visit of the Brussels United Church Women on Monday afternoon. Reverand Eric Le Drew was emcee for the program which included vocal sols by Betty Graber; several numbers by a ladies quartette Betty Campbell, Barbara McCutcheon, Sarah Stephenson, Ruth Hupfer accompanied by Mrs. John Bryans. We enjoyed a square dance by Rene Richmond, Mora Stephenson, Donalda Pearson, Helen. Wheeler, Betty McCutcheon, Gertie Kellington, Barbara McCutcheon and Betty Campbell. Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, forMerly of Brussels thanked the ladies on behalf of the residents in the auditorium as well as those who were not able to attend. The ever Popular Irish family, "The Bradleys," of Clinton entertained on Family Night with Irish melodies and country and western favourites. On the accordian Eugene Bradley accompanies his family who sing as a group and also solo and duct numbers. Members of the family are Winnifred, Marie, Eugene,Ansberth, Domain, John and Jacqueline.. Mrs. Lcyburne, who is a native of Ireland, expressed the appreciation of the residents. 3 • The Awareness League of ysically Handicapped Adults L.P.H.A.) is the name chosen a non-profit organization ncerned with the handicapped Huron County. "Awareness" the key word, because ALPHA els its main function is to °mote three kinds of awareness First, it wants to make the NM aware of the desire and the ht of the handicapped to ticipate in society. Secondly, wants to inform the public and e municipal councils of the vsical and social barriers that event disabled persons from king total roles in today's. ciety, Thirdly, the metfibers of PHA hope to convey to handl- pped persons the benefits of '4 icipation in society. By cmitig involved in the imunity, the disabled help to A down some of the physical d social barriers 'that exist. acknowledging the receipt of a letter that urged the council to consider the needs of the disabled in their future construction and maintenance of sidewalks and public facilities. ALPHA sent similar requests to all the Municipal Councils in the County. A Goderich member reported that curb ramps have been Installed in that town at the corner of North and Nelson Streets. In April, ALPHA petitioned the Goderich Town Council regarding pedestrian curb ramps, and it appreciated the council's response to the brief. Eight members of ALPHA visited Kincardine recently to try out the curb cuts used in that town. The , non-Sighted, ambulatory and wheelchair members found the fan-shaped ramps acconmiodated all their' needs, arid ALPHA recommends A similar design to any engineers contemplating the installation of curb Cuts or ramps. Maple Leaf Chapter of the 1.0.D.E. InGoderich for the letter they sent to .the Goderich Town Council supporting ALPHA'S brief and to the Christian Women's Club in Exeter for their financial donation. Data on housing for the handicapped, wh;ch had been gathered by several members, was reviewed. Another motion set the fourth Tuesday of each month as the date for future meetings, and. plans for a picnic sometime during the summer were also discussed. The date of the next meeting is June 22; the time, 8 p.m. and the place, the Holmesville"- Public School Library. ALPHAwelconies both' the handicapped and the non-handicapped; the present Membership consists. of 50% disabled and 50% non-disabled persons. For further information, contact Elaine Townshenci at gayfield; Phone 482-3357, or Mr, and Mrs. Ralph Watson of Box 68, Brussels; Bluevale 50 year pins Mrs. Joe Walker Correspondent The 13luevale Presbyterian Church was filled to capacity Sunday morning for, the one hundred and nineteeth anniversary. Reverend Gerald Thompson of Teeswater was the minister. Special music was provided by the choir, by Mrs. Murray Gaunt and Mrs. Jim English and by David and Dewayne Golley. Fifty year pins were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Burns Moffatt, Stanely Moffatt, Mac Black, Mrs. Nellie Lillow, Mrs. Allan McKercher, Mrs. Harold Grant, Gordon Mundell, Campbell Robertson, J.J. Elliott, Miss Elva Warwick and Miss Edith Warwick. Rev. Thompson's sermon was, "God Appoints a Future." Lunch was served following the service in the Sunday school room and a social time was enjoyed. Personals A large number of people enjoyed the cold meat supper in the Sunday school room of the Presbyterian. Church on Wednesday. Sunday visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hall were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bowles of Chatham, Mrs. Jack Scott and Leanne of Newton 'and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hall and 'family of Brussels. Mr. Clair Edwards of London also called on Mr. and Mrs. Hall on Sunday. A motion was adopted td write til4 A'S. 'seventh Meeting ass held On May 25 with 14 in telidatice. A letter was. read )111: e l'acke'rgItith Council letters of appreciation to the Phone 88 7-6236: .