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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1964-09-03, Page 9• Gratifying Award The editorial column of a newspaper is usually the one department closest to the editor's heart, for it is into this par- ticular effort that he pours his most in- tense thought, It was gratifying indeed to learn that The Wingham Advance -Times had been selected as the winner of the coveted Pearce Award as having the best editorial page in Canadian weekly newspaper, class two, When the going is tough and the midnight oil is low in the lamp the sight of that plaque on the office wall will of- fer fresh incentive. Regardless of the tangible evidence which that trophy will provide, there is another reward for editorial writers • which is infinitely more valuable—the continued interest of the newspaper's readers—and our harvest of returns in this form has been bountiful indeed. No single page or column in this newspaper brings forth more comment than the editorials. Some editors believe that the only • courageous way to handle this column of newspaper opinion is to slash out right and left at all about them. The mistakes and oversights of those who hold public office are branded as near -criminal dere- lictions of duty. We have never believed in this "courageous" type of journalism. It creates too many destructive alterca- tions in a small community—and more important, soon loses its impact because of its monotony. In over 30 years in the weekly news- paper field we have seen very few oc- casions when either rogues or grafters occupied positions of leadership. It is true that public bodies tend to be slow in achieving those goals which seem to us so obvious, but we have always tried to remember that our public servants must please all segments of the community— not just the newspaper's editorial writer. This column never attempts to tell you how to think—though it may appear to do so at times. Our sole purpose in putting thoughts on paper is to stimulate your own reasoning capacity and to stir your interest in the important affairs of the day. If you happen to disagree with our reasoning, so much the better. We do not pretend to be right all the time. The fact that The Advance -Times has won the Pearce Award this year may eas- ily be accounted for by the interest which you, the reader, have shown in this col- umn, inspiring us to seek for its con- tinual improvement. Honest and Efficient Last Thursday a girl from Wingham • was taking in the sights at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto and dur- ing the day lost her wallet. Fortunately it did not contain any great amount of money nor any valuable papers, but it did contain a card on which were her name and address. On Saturday she received a form letter from the Toronto Police, inform- ing her that her wallet had been turned M in to them and that she could claim it by calling at their offices. She is hoping that a letter will do the trick. This may seem a small incident, but we believe it sheds a cheering light on human nature. Apparently there are some good, honest folks in the crowds at the CNE or the wallet would never have been taken to the police. The courtesy of the police force, too, is com- mendable. Room for One More Though we hesitate to suggest any more organizations for our town, we do believe that this would be an admirable time to form a horticultural society. Wingham has a great number of inter- ested gardeners whose activities are fo- cused on the growing of flowers. A drive around the town any summer afternoon will prove this contention, The impetus which has been given to local improvements and beautification by the parks commission should be carried to its eventual conclusion in a widespread and well organized campaign to beautify the homes throughout the town, Wing - ham has certainly never looked as at- tractive in its entire history and when the parkway is completed it will provide beauty spots for the enjoyment of our own people as well as a great number of visi tors. Careful thought should be given to the beautification of not only the park • areas, but our business properties and homes as well. While we were at the convention of the Canadian Weeklies in Toronto last week two speakers referred to the tre- mendous values accruing from the "Nor- wich Plan," to which this column has previously referred on several occasions. This plan of beautification in the business areas has been carried out most suc- cessfully by the merchants in the city of St. Thomas. Among the results of the re -decoration of places of business has been a completely new sense of pride throughout the community. One of the speakers who mentioned the Norwich Plan was John Fisher, known far and wide for his work as ex- ecutive director of the Canadian Tourist Association and now the federal govern- ment's centennial commissioner. He and his committee are in charge of the dis- persal of funds for projects which will suitably mark Canada's 100th birthday in 1967 and he said that several corn- munities have decided on a plan of brightening and beautifying their sur- roundings, He was highly pleased with their decisions. We have a lot of natural beauty in this town, with its lovely sweep of river and its rolling topography. We should make the most of it. Expensive Flag If and when Canada does decide on a new flag you can be assured that it will be the most expensive one any nation ever secured. Day after day our legis- lators pour out their torrents of words about maple leaves and crosses and col- ors. The world is torn by strife and rebellion, by a whole series of critical events, any one of which could develop into world war—but Canada's Parliament has no time for such trivialities. The flag question must be settled regardless of the delays it is creating. National flags are supposed to evoke deep sentiments of love and patriotism in the human breast. By the time a few more million dollars and a few thousand more speeches have been wasted, the new flag is likely to become the object of so much wrangling and abuse that no one will have any sentiment left but disgust. This flag, in whatever form it emerges, has already become the precise opposite of what Mr. Pearson intended it to be— a symbol of national unity. instead, it has become a demonstration to all the world that we are a nation completely and utterly divided. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE - TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited W. Barry Wenger, President - Robert O. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulation; Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Associ.. ation; Member Canadian Community Newspapers Representatives Authorized by the Post Office Department as Second Class Mail and for payment of postage in cash Subscription Rate: One Year, $4.00; Six Months, $2.25, in advance U.S.A., $5.00 per year; Foreign rate, $5.00 per year Advertising Rates on application REMINISCING SEPTEMBER 1914 Two drinking fountainshave been installed by the town council, one in front of the town hall and the other on Jo- sephine street opposite the town park, They are made of ce- ment, and are of neat design. Mr. H. Campbell had the con tract. The fountain will be much appreciated and used by the citizens, especially during the surCner months, Mr. H. E. Ricker received word this week from A. H. U. Colquhoun, Deputy Minister of Education, that the prizes in connection with the recent high school examinationshave been awarded as follows: Lower School examination, John H. Geddes wins Mr. J. G. Work- man's $5 prize; Normal En- trance, Edna James, A. Cos - ens' $5 prize; Normal En- trance, Mathematics Miss Christy Miller, Dudley Holmes' $5 prize; Faculty Entrance, Part I, Miss Verna J. McLaugh- lin, Dr. A. J. Irwin's $10 prize; Faculty Entrance, Part II, James A. McBurney, J. A. McLean's $10 prize. While Mr. John Perdue, of the 2nd con. of Morris, was assisting at a threshing on his farm on Thursday last,he had the misfortune to lose his balance and fall from the mow to the barn floor, a distance of about twelve or fifteen feet, breaking his back and two ribs. Drs. Hambly and Beane were im- mediately called and the un- fortunate man was broughtto the hospital in the ambulance, and an operation was performed by Dr. Hambly. Mr. Perdue is now doing as well as could be ex- pected. Dr. Redmond returned this week after spending a three weeks' vacation with relatives at Prescott and vicinity. Mr. Harold Parker has re- turned to town after a two months' visit at his home in England. Mr. Parker says he finds the people here more worked up on account of the war than they are in the home land. A very pretty home wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. S. King of Turnberry at 5 o'clock on Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, when their second eldest daughter, Sarah Elizabeth was united in marriage to Mr. Stewart S, Mc- Burney, a prosperous young far- mer of East Wawanosh. SEPTEMBER 1939 When the news was flashed about the world on Sunday that ,Britain had declared war on Germany Canada was ready for the shock. Those who remem- bered the Great War and all that it meant grimly felt that all.had_been clone y—Britain that waspossible-topreservepeac France shortly after also de- clared war on Germany. The' first shock of this news was scarcely over when King George spoke to his peoples, He urged all to stand calm and firm and united. Prize winners at the Lion's Frolic were : Cow and Calf, Archie Hopf, Clifford. Bicy- cle, Wm. Cole, Belgrave. Beauty contest, Dorothy Chris- tie of Teeswater, 2nd Lillian Fuller, Wingham. Decorated car, Philip Stewart, Lucknow. Decorated doll carriage: Max- ine Seddon, Betty Lewis, Les- lie May Wall. Decorated Bicy- cle: Helen Sturdy, Lloyd Stew- art, Marjorie Sanderson. Co- mic Vehicle: Maxine Cowan, Ivan Gardner and Eddie Carter. Pet Parade: Jimmie Hall, Flor- ence tlarris, Stewart Everick. Clown: Bill Lepard and Ray- mond Bell. Pie Eating Contest: Edward Finlay. Balloon Blow- ing, ladies: Kathleen Saint. Balloon Blowing, children: J. Renwick, Toronto. Lucky Pro- gram number winners: W. Lock - ridge, Betty Gannett. Cars driven by James Thyn- ne of Morris and Graham Wark also of Morris, collided on the road from Wingham to Brussels. In the crash both cars were da- maged and Mrs. Wark, a pas- senger with her son, suffered from shock. Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Weir, of Goderich, were passengers on the Athenia, that was sunk by the Germans. Mrs. Weir RECEIVES AWARD — Barry Wenger, left, publisher of The Advance -Times, is present- ed with the Pearce Memorial Award by J. Louis McKenna, of Sussex, New Bruns- wick, during ceremonies at the annual con- vention of the Canadian Weekly News- papers Association in Toronto last week. The award was won by the A -T for having the best editorial page in Canadian week- lies, 2000 to 3000 circulation. ham AbbancoZitrut Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, Sept. 3, 1964 SECOND SECTION SUGAR AND SPICE The Last Surrender BY BILL SMILEY I was badgered into at- tending a wedding this sum- mer. They are events I nor- mally avoid as carefully as landed at Greenock, Scotland, but so far no word has been heard of Mr. Weir. As only 44 lost their lives it is hoped he is safe although his name did not appear on lists of survivors pub- lished so far. SEPTEMBER 1949 Michael Schiestel of Tees - water, was admitted to the hospital after an accident while sawing at Gordon Litt's sawmill. He caught his left arm in a circular saw seriously injuring his hand and frac'iuring his arm. Three fingers and his thumb were amputated as a result. Stan Hiseler returned home last Wednesday after spending three weeks at Banff as one of the 150 Canadian Army Cadets chosen across Canada for an ad- vanced training course. Prior to leaving for Banff he spent one week at Ipperwash Camp in preliminary training. Jack McLaughlin has been engaged as a teacher in the Ri- verside High School. He w ill teach Industrial Arts and Crafts. Injured by a bull in his barn, W, Albert Campbell, East Wa- awnosh, was admitted to Wing - ham General llospital here. Campbell, who operates a farm, is believed to have been crushed against a stall in his barn by a bull. He suffered in- juries to his back. Startled when a mouse jumped off the sun visor in his car, Albert Hanna of Listowel, was admitted to Wingham Gen- eral hospital with a badly lac- erated face and lip, suffered when he lost control of his car. The car turned over three times in a ditch near Brussels. It was damaged extensively. Mrs. John B. Rhodes and daughter of Chatham, Mr, and Mrs. A. G. Aitchison and Joan of London, spent the week -end with Mr. and Mrs. Horace Ait- chison. I would a leper colony. But this was a special one. My old partner, after fighting the good fight for forty years, had finally been snared. I Looked upon it more as a historic event than a mere exchange of nuptial vows. For years, my wife and every other married female he came in contact with had bullied him, pleaded with him, urged him, pushed eli- gible young women in front of him, in that great and no- ble feminine vocation known as Don't let a Single One Get Away. During the process, I and the husbands of these other harpies maintained a dis- creet silence, our sympathy indicated only by the rolling of eyeballs heavenwards. Secretly and unanimously, we cheered him on to great- er heights of courage, stub- borness or insanity, depend- ing on your point of view. Anyway, he finally took the plunge, or got out of his depth or something, after four decades of incredible fortitude. But trust him. He didn't just get hitched and start raising a family and going through all the hor- rors that involves. N o p e. He married a charming widow. and when the last vow had been taken, he became an instant hus- band. father and grandfath- er. The rest of us go through twenty-five years of unmiti- gated hell to achieve that serene height. Well, as I started out to say, weddings, to me and to most men, are just a big pain in the arm. I'd rather !*o to a good funeral, any day. But women are different. They take to weddings like cats take to kipper. There is something almost morbid about their fascination with that production which most men consider a minor tragi- comedy. You should have seen the nonsense we went through getting ready for this one. I figured we'd get dressed up, shine our shoes, buy the happy couple a crock of scotch or a carving knife, and that's all there was to it. Well, that's all I did to prepare for it. But my old woman started operating at least a month before the ceremony. Though I kept reminding her that she was- n't the bride, she was in and out of practically every dress shop in the province, before she got the right dress and hat. Then there was a big thing about her gloves. They were just a shade off the off -something -shade of the rest of the rig. Tears. Dye. Dye remover. More dye. Thank goodness I went in my bare hands. And then there was the gift. I could have bought something useful and suit- able. like an ironing board, in about twenty minutes. But she dragged me in and out of stores until I felt more like dropping than shopping. And the prices! Oy! However, we made it, and I finally realized why wom- en like weddings so much. First of all, it gives them a chance for a good cry with- out some callous kid saying, "Hey, Dad, what's Mom bawling about NOW" Second, it affords them the opportunity of wearing some crazy hat they haven't enough nerve to wear to church normally. And which item will be carefully stored away in a hat -box until it is thrown away by their grand -daughter some day. And finally, there is that delicious aftermath, when it's all over, when they don't have to worry about mak- eup any more, when the shoes come off and the hair comes down, and they can eet at the real business of the wedding - tearing to tat- ters the costumes, manners and reputations of all the other women at the wed- ding.