HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1976-09-15, Page 2by Karl Schuessler
The Brodhapn Twins
Shhhhl I hope this doesn't get back to the
Rock Brothers. But I'm telling the whole world
those two twin brothers celebrated their
eightieth birthday in July. And I want
everyone to know they're still working every
day in the carpenter shop they took over from
their father in the '20's.
I want you to keep all this on the quiet side.
Because Norman and Edwin don't like to see
their names in print. Why; Norman tells me
he's •not calling in on a friend of his in the old
folk's place. For sure enough, their local
newspaper correspondent will get a hold of it
and spread it all around in the paper.
Those two boyS just don't believe in
hollering. Or blowing. That's their way of
saying they don't like to go around bragging.
And just talking about yourself -- or getting
your name in print -- comes pretty close to
bragging in the country.
And mind you, Norman and Edwin didn't
put me up to this writing. That's something
else you have to remember. It's one thing, to
get your name in print.. But the important
thing is -- did you ask to have it in? Did you
push' yourself forward? And in the country
that makes all the difference.
And let me tell you, those two not only
didn't ask, but they wouldn't tell me a thing.
The minute Edwin sensed I was sniffing
around for the newspaper, he clammed right
up.
You have to understand I'm taking a big
risk when I write all this.They could turn ugly
on me and stop selling me lumber and cutting
it down to size. They could say "no" the next
time I bring in some windows for fixing. And
Norman could say a real definite and final
"no" to a little gothic window I've been
dickering with him for months now.
Every time I put my money on the line for it,
Norman says, "Wait, I have to check with this
other fellow. He saw it first, If he doesn't want
it, you can buy it."
Norman's like that.He's never in a hurry to
move along his upstairs 'supply of used doors
and yviudows. Iguess he figures the doors and
windows will all be there tomorrow. Just like
he'll be there tomorrow. Just like he's been
there today and yesterday.
There'S been many yesterdays- for Norman
and. Edwin Rock in Brodhagen. For over fifty
years they've run their shop from the
BrOdhagen Crossroads'.
• The truth is the Rock brothers are
13rodhagen. What with the general store
closed down and the post office moved, their
presence is all the More felt.
And not lust during the day. Almost every
night yori Can Walk iri the shop - it's only a feW
Steps 'from the house and the brotherS will
be there: If not fixing Or sewing Or keeping the
stove in wood scraps and chips, then sitting
and chewing the fat with the men who drop
in.I figure many a local issue and many a story
gets a good roasting and settling over in those
nightly. visits.
Those two look-alike Rocks are ahnost
Siamese twins. They're practically
inseparable. When they were small they
developed a language all their own -- a secret
One so only they could communicate, Their
folks sent Norman off to grandmother's for a
while to break the code. But it didn't work.
They're using, it still today. And they're still
using fake names for people. So they, can .talk
on and no one around dreams who they are
talking about.
When Edwin got married, 'Norman moved
in as well. And over the many years he's been
bachelor uncle-in-residence to Edwin's five
children. Whenever the kids gave a gift to
their father, they gave an exactAluplicate to
Norman.
Laura, Edwin's wife, was never fooled by
who's who. She knew all along which one was
Edwin. And that's more than some other girls
can claim -- girls the boys dated in advance
and then they switched themselves,
• They tried it in the army for a few weeks one
time -- way back during World War I when
Edwin was in training camp. And it worked!
Edwin got away for a holiday while Norman
marched and drilled in his place. The sergeant
could only shake his head and wonder how
that Rock soldier could forget so much in one
day.
The boys still chuckle when they pull off
their mistaken identity ploy today. And &you
accuse one, he'll refer you to the ,other.
But I've- learned how to fix that, If I can't
read their faces, then I look for the missing
finger on. Norman's left hand. I've learned to.
know that Norman's the outside man he's
the one that around in the blue track,
while Edwin tends the shop at home' it
always been that Way. .
And I know Norman's the one who sq.'
"Damn, this is the second time I'vec tt is ' boardtoohort.,
A onhnisd ieI gksnoawndosnalyv Eind/Wihni2chanvosilcaeP,11,itsmila y,fladil
ibwoi teu.:irdneaedy: of o i s
imitating
6liottnlsetar tonasitnnirae o i fresh en
rain. f
.
thew
(L11 things n t g up
neighborhood -- only of Course after were had
Promise now. Don't let any of this get back td
them.
No more . . I've said too much already,
I've got an idea. Let's surprise them. Let's
all send them a belated birthday card
;
Brodhagerii Ontario' 'is iddresi enough.11
eightieth birthday went by withbut Viol
They don't holler, remember?Buti217
heiven's sake, don't let on I put you up
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vgBrussels Post
ONTARIO
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1976
Serving Brussels and the surrounding community.
Published each Wednesday afternoon at Brussels, Ontario
by McLean Bros. Publishers, Limited.
Evelyn Kennedy - Editor Dave Robb - Advertising
Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association and
Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association ►CNA
Subscriptions (in advance) Canada $6.00 a year. Others
$8.00 a year, Single Copies 15 cents each.
Speak now or •••
Peoplein Huron County will get their day in court,
\ so to speak, very soon, when the staff of The
\Ombudsman comes to ' Goderich , for a one-day
hearing. On September 22, taxpayers from anywhere
and everywhere can bring their complaints and
concerns to MacKay Hall on North Street and lay
them at the feet of Ontario's Ombudsman, Arthur
Maloney QC - through- his trusted employees.
Accprding to Ken Cavanagh who is director of
communications for The Ombudsman of Ontario, any
beef against the provincial government will be heard
and duly noted. Understandably the hearings will
NOT deal with county problems, municipal matters
or federal concerns. Any administrative decisions of
the government of Ontario - or any of its Ministries
or agencies - will be fair game, however.
Written briefs are not' essential, but as Mr.
Cavanagh points out, it may be helpful to present
some written resumes, particularly if documented
-materials are available to strengthen a case.
No appointments are necessary, but it is hoped
that as many persons as possible will attend the
hearings, either to participte in the proceedings or to
listen and learn.
Judging from the numbers of times murmurings
are heard against the Tories in Toronto, MacKay
Hall should be filled to over-flowing with 'public-
minded citizens eager to express their views. There's
no better time ... and no better place. Get ready now
to 'have your say. (SJK in the Goderich Signal Star)
Thank you editors
Contest a success
Sir:
Elmer's Summer Safety Contest has come
to a close and the staff of Ontario Safety
League would like to take this opportunity to
extend our sincere thanks to you and your
publication for helping make this contest a big
success.
Entries literally poured in from every corner
of the province and sorting daily mail was
difficult at times, but staff members readily
rallied to the cause.
On the whole,entries were of an extremely
high calibre, with many, young hopefuls going
to great lengths to create a 'winner'. Many
entrants used paint, foil, sequins and sparkles
.to advantage in capturing detail. Some
children were not satisfied with the picture as
presented and added detail reflecting their
own home environment.
The safety Message incorporated into the
Contest was first and foremost in most
childreirS' minds and in all of the close to
20,000 entries received we did not find one
incorrect ansWer.
From the League's viewpoint, the 1976
Centest was a resounding success and we
hope for a repeat performance for the summer
of 1977.
8inceoly,
Nancy Wait ,VW1ler,
Etinees. 1016'Siiiiiinet Safety Contest -
Steam buffs •
Amen