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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1964-12-24, Page 94 The Message Is Still Fresh Poor must be the man who cannot re- spond to the message of Christmas. It does not matter that the world has changed in the 1964 years since the birth of Christ. It makes no difference that His worshippers are no longer simple shepherds and Oriental mystics. We who live in the age of space travel are waiting just as eagerly for the news of salvation as those men of yore. They were the inhabitants of a weary civiliza- tion—a people who had waited countless centuries for enlightenment and hope. Today many of us are equally in need of fresh hope. Every day's news tells of the tortured strivings of new-born nations to find a purpose and a path. The throngs who live under the pall of com- munistic atheism rend and tear their op- ponents and one another in a searing struggle to find expression for an inner spirit which has been denied, In our own lands we witness chaos in the lives of those who will not admit in simple faith that there is indeed a kind Creator, deeply concerned with our spiritual future. A thousand practical arguments can be presented to rationalize all the known facts of the first Christmas, to place a human interpretation upon a divine act. If, however, the miracle of Christmas must descend to a purely human form, mankind will lose its only pathway to hope. Certainly the very finest of human achievements fall far short of the fulfill- ment we seek. Christmas still brings the message of hope re -born ... the sense of joyful re- lease from the burdens of human weak- ness. To men of goodwill that message will have meaning until the end of time. Committee Must Choose with Care The county council's Huronview Com- mittee has already passed a motion that a 100 -bed addition be erected adjacent to the present institution south of Clin- ton. People in both northern and south- ern extremities of the county can only hope that the location has not, in reality, been finalized. There are, no doubt, some valid reasons for considering further construc- tion at the Clinton location, but full examination of all the factors involved will provide a great many sound reasons for establishing a completely separate ` home at another site. Most important is the advice to the committee from the Department of Wel- fare that any further addition, even though located at Clinton, should be dis- tinct and separate from the present in- • stitution, which is now close to maximum size for efficiency of operation. This being the case, there is little in the way of financial economy to be gained by building there. The most compelling reason, however, for selecting a second site is purely hu- manitarian. With a drastic shortage of reliable nursing homes in this area, and in a county where the population of older people is much above the national aver- age, a very high percentage of our aging persons will be cared for in the county homes (including, not too many years • hence, we who are now in our middle years). The facts of geography and weather make it obvious that homes for the aged should be located as close as economical- ly possible to the families of those who require such services. We can easily recall the unhappiness and fear of one lonely older woman who was moved from the Wingham hospital to Huronview. As long as she was a patient here some members of her fam- f' ily managed to visit her almost every evening, keeping her in close touch with the world of her active days. After her removal to Clinton the visits were week- ly rather than daily, for her family lived west of Lucknow and Clinton was just too far away. If the county home committee will consider another site for the addition we believe they should give serious thought to the Wingham area. • We make this proposal, not in any sense of grabbing for the spoils ... but once again because there are sound rea- sons•for doing so. Residents of the Exeter area have al- ready voiced their desire to have the home built there and we sympathize with their reasons, because they are basically the same as our own. Nevertheless, one look at the map of the county demon- strates why the location should be in the north rather than the south. Huron County is a great deal larger north of No. 8 Highway than it is south of that line. In the southern section the county is only two townships wide, whereas in our northern section the county reaches from the Lake Huron shore eastward to within a few miles of Clifford, stretching across five townships, a distance of nearly 40 miles compared with about 22 miles across the southern boundary. There are ten townships north of No. 8; there are six townships south of that line. It is our sincere hope that the reeves who represent the northern municipali- ties of the county will give serious thought to the final decision about the county home. Whatever buildings are erected will be used for many years to come. They simply must be built where they will best serve the greatest number of people. Delightful Entertainers For several months we have watched with keen interest the development of the television program "Footsteps," sponsored and presented by the Presby- terian Churches in the CKNX viewing area. Originated by the young people • and leaders in St, Andrew's, right here in Wingham, the program has continued to be one of very high calibre since its in- ception. The chief point of interest, however, is that the entire program is handled by amateurs. The writing is done locally •and the dialogue and music are by local people, a unique accomplishment in a field normally dominated by profession- als. Particularly enjoyable is the music produced by two groups of young people, girls and boys, who act as bell ringers. Both these groups provide delightful music on a set of bells which we under- stand cost about $600.00. A tremend- ous amount of training and practice must have been expended to result in such precision. In this day of highly specialized skills it is indeed interesting to see and hear what can be done when a dedicated or- ganization sets out to accomplish some- thing worthwhile. 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.-45.00 per year; Foreign rate—$5.00 per year• Advertising Rates on application REMINISCING DECEMBER 1914 The following is an extract from .a letter received by Mrs. C. Templeman from her son, Private Fred Templeman, now with the Canadians at Salisbury Plain;, 9arstard Camp, Dec, 6, 1914. Dear Mother and All; -- Received two letters from you this week and was delight- ed to hear from you, as they were the first I had from home since we left Valeartier. We go to Church Parade every Sun- day. Blanchard, from Wingham came with us on a long march last Saturday, going to Stone- henge and from there to a little place called Netheravon, when he collapsed and F. Groves and the man who used to drive the butcher's cart for Louttit's and Will Hayles and myself were told to go back and carry him the rest of the way to camp which was about four miles. We made a stretcher of our two rifles and an overcoat for him. It was raining until the water ran down the inside of our put- tees into our boots. We took him to our Red Cross Hospital, where they kept him for four or five days, then they took him to Bulford Hospital, where his case will come before the hospital board. I am alright only I've a bad cold, but try to take care of myself. We have had little oil stoves given to us a couple of daysago and they are fine too. We are able to dry our shirts anyway. Before we had to let them dry on us or lie down in them at night. It rains about five days in every week here. Well I will close now wishing you all a happy Christmas, Remember me to all at Wingham. Your loving son, Fred. DECEMBER 1928 In the death of Freeman Carr in Toronto on December 16, in his 72nd year, another of the old time business men of Wingham passes away. For some years he had a flour -mill in Wingham and later conduct- ed a flour and feed business on the site now occupied by J. A. Mills. A medal contest was a fea- ture of the November meet- ing of the Loyal Temperance Legion. After the business part of the meeting which was ably conducted by Beverly Small, president, Velma Car- ter, secretary and Marion Mason, treasurer. The medal contest began in earnest those taking part were as follows: Thora Davison, Francis Currie, Edith Campbell, Ruth Mitchell, Hazel Hawkins. The judges were Mrs. (Rev.) Smith, Mrs. (Dr.) Parker and Miss Mc- Laughlin. DECEMBER 1939 There was a goodly number at the nominations held in Morris Township held on Fri- day and after the smoke had cleared away it was found that Elston Cardiff, 8 years as reeve, had given up and the reeveship will be contested by Cecil Wheeler and Francis Duncan, two members of the retiring council. The council received an acclamation, the members are Robert Wallace, the only man with council ex- perience, and three new men, James Bryans, James Michie and Frank Shaw. DECEMBER 1949 The Sunday School of St. Paul's Church held its Christ- mas concert in the school room on•Friday evening. The fol- lowing concert was presented: Opening song; Recitation, John Mitchell; Recitation, Douglas Wild; Recitation, Linda Tem- pleman; recitation, Cecille Jackson; recitation, Janet Saint; Christmas Memories by Joan Armitage and George Porter; Solo, Mary Louise Town; recitation; "Pat" Deyell; Christmas Helpers, Garry Tem- pletnan, Karen Smith, Patricia Hall, Dianne Templeman, John White; duet, Anne White and Karen Swanson; recitation, John White; recitation, Verne Griffith; recitation, Fern Van - PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN in Grades II, IV and VI have undergone hearing tests recently. The testing is done with an audiometer by Mrs. Shirley Steepe, of the Huron County Health Unit. Shown taking the test is John Smith, a Grade IV pupil. Looking on are Bob Seli and Mrs. Janet Reid, public health nurse with the county unit. —Advance -Times Photo. ingbain Abbancoei-mito Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, Dec. 24, 1964 SECOND SECTION One Moment, Please BY REV. W. J. MORRISON Bluevale, Ontario. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." A prominent preacher states that "Bethlehem is not a place, but a mood, an attitude, a frame of mind." This is largely true because we in the twentieth century can never find again that Biblical Bethlehem with its manger -cradle, the baby Jesus, and all the Holy Night atmosphere of long ago. We believe too, that when we open our hearts to the One who stands at the door and knocks, He enters in and is born within us. This is a very spiritual belief, and it is also God's purpose through the Incar- nation. But how to evaluate this in life is our problem and our task. Surely this holy Renaissance means, for us, that we shall act as channels through which God's grace and love flows, reaching other lives. As the hydro -electric wires carry the powerful current from the gen- erating station into our homes, which turns night into day, so, if we are Christians, His Spirit will be in us. No one will need to ask us if we are Chris- tians. This will mean again that we are friendly and warm-heart- ed, more outgoing and less introspective, more ready to give than to get, because our hearts have been touched by our Lord, the living Word. We shall obey God, then, and not try to impress others. What we are always counts far more than what we say. If we think and speak as be- fits those who belong to Christ, we will pray and act for all those who need His help. This will bring real happiness at Christmas. stone; recitation, Dianne Tem- pleman; Play, "The Power of Love" by pupils. Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Lockridge and Mrs. C. Blatchford atten- ded the special ceremony at Mothercraft Hospital, Toronto, last Wednesday, when their daughters, Ruth Lockridge and Gwen Blatchford received their caps. A very pleasant dinner hour was enjoyed by members of the Town Council, their wives, the officials of the town and the press when Mayor Jack Reavie and Mrs. Reavie enter- tained at a turkey dinner in Hotel Brunswick on Thursday. S(JCAR AND SPICE by Bill Smiley Social, But Not Sociable! There is little use in complain- ing about the rigors of putting up my tree, the horrors of trying to find a present for my wife, the abyss of debt into which I am plunging. I know how much sympathy I'd get. We're all in the same boat. But, with the holiday season coming up, accompanied by its usual parties, L thought it might be a good time for your friend- ly old uncle Bill to pause and ex- amine that phenomenon of the' second half of the 20th century - Social Drinking. Social Drinking is one of those beautifully vague terms we're so fond of these days. They cov- er a multitude of sins, and yet, somehow, they sound respecta- ble. It's like "Neurotic". The lady who is nutty as a fruitcake will, inform you with some pride, "I'm terribly neurotic, you know." Fifty years ago, she wouldn't have announced so freely that "she was batty. Social Drinking is similar. The fellow who is so hung-over the blood is running out his eyes, will tell you, "I'm strictly a Social Drinker." Everytime I hear the term So- cial Drinking, I utter a couple of short, barking laughs. Social Drinking is just an excuse for getting plastered in public, in- stead of quietly and decently at home, or out behind the barn. Social Drinking and the Cock- tail Party go hand in hand. A Cockail Party is any gathering of Social Drinkers, slopping free liquor into empty stomachs at a rate which suggests prohibition is about to become law within the hour. They make a gesture toward the social end of it by eating a cracker, with a dead sardine on it, with every fifth drink. Don't confuse sociable drink- ing with Social Drinking. Socia- ble drinking is a quiet glass with SPARKS by Willis Forbes Some congress- men return home occasionally to mend the fences they expect to straddle later, an old friend, by the fire; a cou- ple of bottles of cold beer, out fishing; a hot noggin, in compa- ny, after a winter's day outside. But Social Drinking is a horse of a different hue. Ask the housewife who comes down in the morning after a Cocktail Party, head thumping like a bongo, and is confronted by the following: a cigarette -burn on her new coffee-table; a puree of whiskey -and -ashes on her white linen tablecloth; a purple splotch on her lemon carpet; 28 dirty glasses; a lady's hand- bag; a man's hat; 14 empty cigarette packages; and her husband snoring on the chest- erfield. Ask the chap who drops in for a drink - just one - before facing the spouse and spawn, after work. He gets talking with the boys, arrives home an hour late. He's a little high-spirited, but scarcely a reeling drunk. Know what he gets for dinner? Cold shoulder and hot tongue. Yet all he was doing was a little Social Drinking. Actually, Social Drinking was fine, as were so many other things, before women got into the act. But then women started booz- ing, and things have gone from bad to hopeless. Mixed drink - developed. And the only thing worse than mixed drink- ing is mixing your drinks. Social Drinking has all the potential destructive power of The Bomb. It leads to broken promises, broken dishes, broken noses, and broken homes. The only good thing about it, and the only reason it is so pop- ular, is that it enables one to put up with all the bores and boors, the knuckleheads and knot- heads, the dopes and dullards, with which society seems to be infested nowdays (except for the sparkling people like you and me). Now, I hope I haven't thrown a wet blanket on your plans for a wet holiday season. But just to end this little homily, may I remind you the lines written in eleventeen s e v e n t y -seven by that great Welsh poet. Hugh Dunnit: If you get stinking From drinking, It isn't Social; It's atrocial.