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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-05-25, Page 4Page 4—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, May 2S, 1988 f P.O. Box 400, Lucknow, Ontario NOG 2H0 528-2822 Establ;shed 1873, PAID Thomas Thompson -Advertising Manager Subscription rate's in advance: Rob Bundy -Editor $1700 Outside Canada $6000 Pat Livingston -General Manager $1400 Outside Canada $5800 Senior Citizen Second class mailing reg. no. 0847 Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisment will be paid at the applicable rates. Huxley's vision In 1932, Aldous Huxley's revolutionary novel Brave New World seem- ed farfetched because it portrayed a society where people did not marry of form lasting relationships. With the number of Canadian marriages declining since 1972; divorce claiming one in three marriages; and a 39 per cent increase in common law unions between 1981 and 1986, perhaps Huxley's vision was not as farfetched as initially thought. For many people, particularly those under 30, a common law union is a step toward it. For these couples, a common law union is a chance to test their compability. So, although people between the ages of 18 and 29 are entering relationships at the same overall rate as their predecessors, they are often choosing common law union and delaying marriage until they are reasonably sure their marriage will work. But whether they lead to marriage or not, common law unions do not last long. Statistcis Canada's Family History Survey found almost 70 per cent of common law unions ended within five years of their formation. Even those couples who lived common law that lead to marriage have a 35 per cent greater chance of getting divorced, than couples that did not live together before they were married. Researchers are quick to point out that this instability may be at- tributed to the fact that people who live common law have less tradi- tional values than people who do not live common law, and this might be a reason for the hogh break-up rate of the unions. They add that more research is necessary on the characteristics of both common law unions and people who live within such a relationship. Thus, Huxley's vision is, for the present, still a vision since the majori- ty of common law unions either serve as a trail marriage and lead to marriage, or do not last more than five years. And what the future holds is another matter. What will the 35 per cent of young people that live together, get married and then get divorced, do next ? And will common law unions become more common among already divorced Canadians who have never lived common law? Whether or not Aldous Huxley's vision becomes reality, it is clear that the lasting relationship takes a great deal of .effort from both partners and that there are less and less people getting and staying married than ever before. The recent long weekend was more than a day away from the office for your hum- ble scribe. It was more than a few days camping around Auburn with friends and much more than Queen Victoria's birthday. It was also my birthday, and I don't mind telling you it was my last birthday. Yep, the kid has reached the elusive 29 years of age and, according to Mom, that's the last one you celebrate. From now on it's "29 and holding" or "at the top of the hill looking down." Now I can honestly say my age matches my waist size...which is better than having your shoe size matching your I.Q., beleive me. It was a good weekend. The festive oc- cassion of the Queen's birthday (and mine) was heralded by fireworks at mid- night, a rambling game of euchre, and a beer for each year on this earth over a two- day period. By the time we reach 29 we have stored away a great deal of 'life knowledge'. Things parents told us at 15 suddenly make sense, like a thick fog slowly lifting to reveal the long and winding road. I know now, without a doubt, that not everything that is broken can be fixed with a hammer; that haste does make waste; and that the more expensive toilet paper is worth the extra cost. I no longer use a Canadian flag for a cur- tain. I do the dishes immediately after eating instead of leaving them in hopes of a nocturnal visit by dish -washing elves, and I avoid at all costs friends whose cat has just had kittens. Gone are the days of eating ketchup on macaroni and calling it spagetti. I wouldn't even think about going into a new car showroom and looking interested while a salesman could see me now, but I used to. ON TIIE SIDE At this age you start to appreciate a good bath towel and can see the benefits of sit- ting quietly and watching the sunset. This weekend, and I'm a bit embarrassed about this really, I even considered trying out the old rocking chair that has sat in the corner of the living room unused by anyone but Granny for years. I'm going to start wearing slippers now and will probably start watching documen- taries about the plight of Atlantic puffins instead of reruns of Gilligan's Island. I'm going to start changing my socks more often , now and will probably start wearing sensible shoes as oppossed to flashy runners. From now on, at Christmas I'll be get- ting ties and aftershave instead of a new hockey stick. Kids will start calling me 'Mr. Bundy' instead of 'hey buddy'. I've noticed I've started talking slower and using bigger words. I wear my seat belt even to go to the corner store and I have this uncontrollable urge to coach some kind of minor sport. And do you know what...I kinda like it. If you'd have asked me, and I imagine this is universal, if you'd have asked me ten years ago where I'd be at age 29, I'd have probably said either in the Prime Ministers office or a senior citizens home. It may very well be all down hill from here but you can bet I'm going to enjoy the ride. Have a good week! P.S. I might even start wearing bi-focals. 70 years ago May 23, 1918 Cash System Works Well - A couple of months ago the grocery dealers of Kincar- dine Town, got together and decided to conduct their business on a strictly cash basis. As to how it is working out the "Reporter" has the following to say: "En- quiry shows that the cash system in- augurated by the grocers is working out in a most satisfactory manner. Customers are well pleased, with few exceptions. They find that it acts as a deterrent in pur- chasing many articles that can be easily done without, thus reducing the high cost of living. Paying a grocery bill after the food is consumed is like paying for a dead horse." Fire Company will hold Field Day on July 1 instead of June 3 - In deference to the Teeswater people who are putting on a pro- gram of horse races on June 3rd, the Lucknow Fire Co. have decided to postpone their field day until July 1st when they hope to be able to put on something which will draw a good crowd. Both SENTINEL MEMOIRS events—the races at Teeswater and the field day at Lucknow—are in the interests of the local patriotic work, and it was thought well to avoid a conflict of interests. The change of date will meet with the ap- proval of many who will be glad to have the opportunity of attending both places. 50 years ago May 26,193$ Bridge Damaged - The last of the Village's old wooden bridges, was damag- ed on Monday by a gravel truck, engaged in gravelling village streets. The bridge is just east of R.T. Douglas' residence. The west end of the bridge is broken down to a degree that closes it to traffic. One by one, the several bridges in the municipality have been replaced by concrete ones, until this wooden bridge is the last remaining one of its kind, within the municipality. Elders Inducted - With a special ceremony, conducted by Rev. C.H. Mac- Donald, on Sunday morning, Messrs. W.W. Hill, Henry Gardner, Dr. James Little and Cameron MacDonald, were inducted as elders of the Lucknow Presbyterian Church. 25 years ago May 29, 1963 Fire Threatens Gaunt Turkey Barn - The large turkey barn on the farm of Andrew Gaunt of West Wawanosh Township nearly fell prey to flames last Wednesday after- noon, but occurring in the afternoon as it did, was discovered in the nick of time and extinguished. Teachers engaged at local schools - LUcknow Public School Board has engag- ed Mrs. Margaret Taylor of Wingham to fill the single vacancy on the Public School staff. Mrs. Tom (Doris) MacKenzie of Kinloss Township has been engaged as commer- cial teacher at Lucknow District High School, with duties to commence with the fall term. Open House - was held at Pinecrest Manor Nursing Home, Lucknow, on Sunday, in observance of Shut -Ins Day when scores of people took the opportunity to visit the home and its residents. Tea was served to the many callers with oil' Mrs. W. G. Andrew and Mrs. John Mac- Dougall pouring tea for the guests. 10 years ago May 24, 1978 Block Parent Program - The Lucknow Block Parent Program needs people who are interested in being a Block Parent. The program being organized by the Lucknow District Kinettes, will be launch- ed at a Public Meeting in the Town Hall next Tuesday evening. Margaret McGee, chairman of the Ontario Block Parent Ad- visory Commit •e will be the guest speaker.