The Village Squire, 1981-07, Page 14People
Scene stealer
The cause was crippled kids and the
big names were from hockey, soccer,
Alpine skiing. baseball and wrestling.
But it was a short, good-natured priest
from Mount Carmel and Exeter who stole
the show at the Stratford Rotary Club's
3rd Annual Sports Celebrity Dinner a few
weeks ago.
Among Tiger Williams, Steve Podbor-
ski, Frank Mahovlich and the like, Father
Joseph Nelligan, a London native and
relative unknown to the sinners of Perth
County, left little for anyone else to say as
he took his turn at the microphone.
In a message sprinkled with humor,
emotion and compassion, he held the 300
30 -dollar -a -platers spellbound. He told
them how important it is to make people
laugh from the stomach, and then showed
them how. And he told them how
necessary it is to love from the heart.
Better than anyone ever invited to the
star-studded dinner, Joe Nelligan left an
impression. As the assembled gave him a
standing ovation, guest speaker Don
Cherry, who was yet to be introduced,
leaned over and said to the priest, "What
can I say after that?"
Nothing more was needed.
Dean Robinson
Fishy business
If fresh fish is a favourite food in your
home, it does not have to be a rare
delicacy, according to Jim Sheldon, a
fresh fish farmer from the St. Marys area.
Sheldon has recently set up a fish farm,
complete with six raceways, and holding
tanks for his trout. Also on his property, a
well, and an electrically -driven pump,
provide the aquifer water. Aquifer, (deep
nock well water), plentiful in the St.
Marys area, is suited for fish farming,
because the water temperature varies
only one degree Celsius annually.
Sheldon 30, graduated from the
University of Guelph with his Bachelor of
Science, majoring in marine biology. He
recently obtained his Masters in fish
physiology from York University.
People in this country are not used to
fresh fish, he says although Europeans
have it as a regular part of their diet.
Lionel was
not amused
George Parsons, president of
Goderich Elevators and Transit Com-
pany, recalls one humorous incident
PG. 12 VILLAGE SQUIRE/JULY 1981
involving Lionel Parsons, his father and
predecessor.
One of the employees had invited
American tourists to see a man dive from
the top of the elevator, so he disguised
two grain sacks as a dummy, and pushed
them off the top of the elevator. The joke
took a sour turn, however, when the sacks
landed three feet from the boss, Lionel.
George reports that Lionel was not
amused.
Parsons was honoured at a surprise
party given by relatives, friends and
workers, to celebrate his thirty-fifth
anniversary with the company.
Parsons started with the company in
1946, working on the dock for a summer
to make money to go to Western for a
business degree. An adminstration pos-
ition opened, and Parsons chose that over
his education. Although he regrets not
finishing school now, he has kept up with
modern business practices by taking
courses every year.
Ends hunger strike
A piece of cake and a strong supporting
statement ended a 37 -day hunger strike
for Perth County archivist, Jim Ander-
son.
After hearing a statement composed by
his cousin and playwright, James Rean-
ey, Anderson, satisfied he had support,
ended his protest at a public meeting last
month. The statement supported Ander-
son's cause and allowed him to end his
strike on a satisfactory note and with
dignity, said Reaney.
Anderson.who opposed the disbanding
of the Perth County historical board
began his fast atop the Court House roof
April 20. When Stratford and Perth
councils decided to dissolve the historical
board, there was fear that they would not
continue two important historical pro-
jects. The Thomson Museum and the
Fryfogel Inn.
Reaney's statement supported one
historical board for Perth and Stratford,
and expressed hope that its projects and
ideals would be continued.
Tim Nicholson, Historical Board
cha'^man, said he was relieved that
Anderson ended the strike. Although it
had accomplished a lot, Nicholson felt
that other forms of protest, such as
presenting the issue during elections,
would be more effective.
THE
CAMPUS SHOP
Stratford's Leading
Children's Wear Store
Clothing for Infants,
Boys & Girls
July Clearance
Sale
Starts July 20
Open Every Day till 5:30
Friday evening till 9
92 WELLINGTON ST.
STRATFORD
PHONE 271-3720