HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1986-06-04, Page 4Page 4--Luckuow Sentinel, Wednesday, Juue 4, 1986
P.O. Box 400, Lucknow NOG 2H0
Established 1873
Thomas Thompson
Alan Rivett
Pat Livingston
Joan Helm
Merle Elliott
528-2822
-Advertising Manager
-Editor
-General Manager
-Compositor
-Typesetter
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Clubs work for community
In general, editorials are meant to examine and put forth a point of view on a variety of
subjects, ranging from the dealings of federal, provincial and local government to issues
which are of a local significance.
Sometimes, however, an editorial can be used to recognize and give credit to local ser-
vice organizations which- do a little extra towards making our community a little bit
better.
In Lucknow and the surrounding area, we are fortunate to have an abundance of just
such organizations.
Just last Saturday, for instance, a group of players from slo-pitch teams in the area
gathered at the Dungannon ball diamonds to pitch in and help with renovations to the
diamonds.
Giving freely of their time and labor, these players erected new fencing and completed
other maintenance work throughout the afternoon.
In Lucknow, the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs have been doing their part by making the
Kinsmen Community Park a source of pride for the village. Recently, the Kinettes
donated additional playground equipment for the park.
Notwithstanding is the work of the Lions Club, who not only led the fund-raising cam-
paigns for the Community Centre and the pool, but are now spearheading the fund-raising.
for the new arena complex. Although it may be some time before enough money can be
secured to begin construction, Lucknow cannot help but be excited over the prospects of
having a truly modern arena to rival that of any neighboring community.
The efforts of the Legion and the various church groups in Lucknow have also con-
tributed greatly to the community spirit of the village. In the last three weeks the Legion
has contributed financially towards the Lucknow Band trip to the Waterloo area and
towards the travel expenses of Vicki Owen, who was chosen from the Lucknow Rangers to
be a part of a Guide trip to Britain. The church groups have been instrumental in the im-
plementing of a Meals on Wheels program in the last year to help elderly people who
couldn't otherwise prepare a nutritious meal.
Not to be overlooked is the work of the Lucknow Agricultural Society which organizes
and promotes Lucknow's annual Fall Fair and Craft Festival.
To all these people and service groups, you represent what community spirit is all about.
Of Ann and housewives
When I browse through my favorite
daily newspaper you might surmise -
being the editorial type that I am - I
would rush right to the front page or to
the editorial columns to wade through
all the important and newsworthy stuff
of the day, right?
Wrong. Not this cowboy.
Being the ever -studious newspaper
type, I head straight for the column
with the most scope and one which is
probably the widest read item in the en-
tire paper. In this particular column, if
you're lucky, she might be willing to
solve all your worldly problems in one
firm swoop of her mighty pen. Yes,
that's right - I'm referring to Ann
Landers - the queen of the Advice
columnists.
People from all walks of life write to
Ann with' personal problems ranging
from the all too ridiculous to ones which
tear at your heart. Every day, Ann
presents another saga of tragedy and of
the triumphs of the human spirit - a
veritable slice of life.
But, let's face it, we all like to see her
columns which are so absurd, they're
laughable. A recent column will go
down as one of Ann's all-time "greatest
hits".
Ann, in her infinite wisdom,
answered a letter from a housewife,
who happened to like doing her
housework in the buff, saying that it
was OK, as lo.zg as the drapes were
closed and .as long as she stayed inside
ALAN
the house. However, a number of
ladies, who also favor this manner of
doing housework, recently related to
Ann some embarrassing, and rather
humorous experiences.
One lady wrote, while doing the laun-
dry in the basement in the nude wear-
ing a football helamet (I don't know
why) , was confronted by a man who
came to read the electricity metre. The
lady wrote that the man, although in
awe, simply walked up the stairs and
casually said. "I hope your team wins,
lady!"
It's priceless letters like these which
make Ann Landers a national obses-
sion. But while I'm reading her column,
I often wonder what it would be like to
be a part of Ann Landers' family. I'll
bet in her family, Aunt Martha knows
what to do with slovenly Uncle George
who leaves his beer cans around the
house.
And, I'll bet she can provide quick ad-
vice to a daughter, who's in an awful
quandry over trying to decide the best
way to put toilet paper on the dispeser.
Wouldn't it be great?
Oh well, on to the sports section.
The last lap
By Alan Rivett
If there was anybody in Redtrees who
cause more grief than Annie Livingstone, it
was her brother, Teddy Murdoch. In,
theory, his marraige to the beautiful and
wealthy Lucy Lockhart should have
brought him happiness beyond his wildest,
dreams but ironically, his good fortune
only awakened the most despicable traits
of his character. As time went by, he
neglected the management of the lurnber.
mitt and, it was whispered, physically
abused his sweet -natured wife. There were
long periods of absence when Teddy took
himself to Bolton Town to drink himself
stupid and buy the favours of many a shady
lady. Lucy was at least thankful he
engaged in his philanderings away from
the community. Perhaps Chiippy Chisholm
spoke the truth when he said "Yon Teddy
Murdoch is a dirty young ..pup but he's too
canny tae poop on his aitn doorstep!"
Teddy was particularly ifksame to' Allan
Livingstone (who he called "mi stone.
chippin' brother-in-law") especially when
he tried to force his unwanted attentions on
the comely Bridget Sutherland. Allan had
waited for a respectable period before he
began to formally court the attractive
"gypsy lass". In the meantime, Teddy
made it his business to attend all functions
where Bridget -might be present. At one of
the dances at the community hall, the
inevitable conflict ensued.
So as not draw attention to themselves,
Allan and Bridget sat quietly by the door
but they did not escape the crafty eyes of
Teddy Murdoch, even though they peered
through an alcoholic fog. Weaving all over
the floor, the would-be Don Juan came to
where they were sitting, and' grabbing
Bridget roughly by the arm, he lifted her
on to her feet.
`Mi stone chippin' brother-in-law will no
ask ye tae dance," hesaid in a sarcastic
voice. "He steps like a club-footed donkey.
Come awa lass, an' let a real gentleman
show ye how tae trip' across the 'dance
flokr'!"
Allan was . not a hostile mars' by l nature
and did not wish to cause a commotion in
the hall. He was glad he was close to the
door. Grasping Teddy by the scruff of the
neck, he half walkedand hal dragged him
out of the •building. When Teddy was
released, he took a wild swing at Allan, and
more by luck than judgement, struck him
on the nose.
"Frae .the sake o' peace an' quiet, I'll
pretend ye didna do that," Allan said
between clenched teeth. "Awa hame tae
ye're wife, Murdoch, an' stop pesterin' the
womenfolk!"
"Och, listen tae the kettle callin' the
cauldron black. An' what pray are ye
doin?" Teddy asked. "Ye 're pesterin' this
woman and ye're wife - mi poor sister
Annie - is not yet cold in the grave!"
This outburst was just too much for
Allan. He lifted his fist and sent it crashing
into Teddy's jaw. The arrogant sot fell to
the ground as it he had been pole -axed. He
lay very still. A small crowd of people
suddenly appeared as if from no`.where and
at the forefront was Neil MacCrimrnon, He
went to the inert figure to ascertain if he
was still breathing.
"I'm sorry if I hurt him," Allan said in a
scared voice: "He's no dead, is he Mister
M'acCrimmon?"
`'I'm sorry tae- tell ye - he's going tae
live," MacCrinimon said with a grim smile
on his face. "Dinna fash yesel' lad, he's
been askin' frae this frae a long time!"
It was an hour or more before Teddy was
able to stand on his feet and an account of
the rumpus preceded him home. For Lucy
it was the last straw. She had visions of her
husband returning and in anger, taking out
his vegence on her. Arming herself with a
pistol, she waited for Teddy to appear.
"I've heard all about it. Allan Living-
stone beat you, didn't he?" Lucy said
putting the weapon at his chest. "But don't
think you can take your temper out on me -
not anymore you won't. Get out of my
house and never come back again!"
"Your house?" Teddy asked with a
sneer.
"Yes indeed," Lucy said coldly and
firmly. "My house, my sawmill, and my
money which had kept you in arrogant
idleness." She waved the pistol in a men-
acing, : gesture. "Now get out - I need you
!ike 1 need the plague!"