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.