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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-08-24, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1994. C itizenTheNorthHuron P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M1H0 Phone 523-4792 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 E ditorial i i But what are you doing? As Ed Brophy, a member of the West Wawanosh Landfill coalition, introduced Harry J. Boyle at a community barbecue in St. Augustine Friday night, he read from a story by Mr. Boyle on how people of earlier years used and re-used things like flour sacks until they didn't need a landfill site, they just plain wore out. The implication was that West Wawanosh (and Colbornc) wouldn't be threatened with the possibility of being chosen for the new Huron County landfill site if only people would be like the pioneers. Mr. Brophy was right, but it was hard not to wonder, looking around the crowd, how many of those who arc upset at the idea of a dump in their backyard arc practicing common sense policies themselves. We have all, even those who grew up on the farms that once had such cnvironmcntally-fricndly practices as described in Mr. Boyle's books, slipped into wasteful ways. Part of it comes from prosperity. In the Depression era, Lhcrc wasn't any choice about being wasteful. People had to use and re-use because they couldn't afford to buy new things. Today, even those we call poor, arc wealthy by comparison. We have more, therefore we have more to throw out. We know now what other people have, and therefore it is harder to do wiLhout (Mr. Boyle's work with radio and telecommunications, ironically, helped destroy the world he describes in his books). Can you imagine sending children to school today in shirts made from flour sacks? Now they must have the latest fashion and if those expensive Nikcs or Doc Marlins go out of fashion, they go in the dump, not get worn until they arc worn out. The economics have changed loo. Mass manufactured goods have become so inexpensive, and individual labour so dear, that it is often cheaper to buy a new appliance than to pay someone to repair the old one. More garbage for the landfill. Il is only when we arc individually threatened with the consequences of our waste — such as having someone want to put a landfill in our neighbourhood — that we suddenly realize what a monster we have created. Ironically, by seeking one large, landfill site for the whole county, Huron County council is exacerbating the problem. One municipality will get the message about the problem of waste, but me other 25 will be allowed to remain oblivious. Our wasteful society will not change until each of us is brought face to face with the consequences of our lifestyle. Governments must find ways to make waste management a backyard issue for every individual, not just the unfortunate people who happen to gel stuck with a landfill site in their neighbourhood. — KR An honour long deserved By Keith Roulston The big world long ago honoured St. Augustine native Harry J. Boyle. He already has his Order of Canada medal and his honorary degrees. Friday night he finally got some concrete recognition right in his old backyard, in the community where he was raised. Now when people go to sec the community he made famous in his books Mostly in Clover, Homebrew and Patches and With a Pinch of Sin, there will be something for them to sec: a plaque marking his birthplace in 1915. For the rest of the country, it is probably Mr. Boyle's work with the CBC or his later work as chairman of the Canadian Radio Television -Commission that is regarded as his most important contribution to Canada. For those of us in Huron County, however, it will be his humorous recollections of growing up in St. Augustine in the 1920s and Depression era that will be his legacy. In setting down his stories and having them published in popular books, Mr. Boyle gave a stamp of approval to the lifestyle of western Ontario people. As a youngster reading his books, I recall him writing about hearing a far-off railway train, and I wondered if it might be the same train that ran through our farm north of Lucknow. He told of stories that could have taken place in my neighbourhood, among my family. I knew people who were just like the people he wrote about. I was impressed by the very fact that these stories were in a book. Growing up in rural Ontario in the 1950s the idea that someone could write a book was incomprehensible. Books were written by famous people from other countries, not by people from just down the road. Mr. Boyle's recognition ol our rural lifestyle hit home with more than just one little boy. When his stories were translated for the stage in Mostly in Clover, the first play presented al the Blyth Festival, people flocked io the show, and a whole theatre was created. Mr. Boyle has given us so much. Friday's honour was overdue. High wire act Photo by Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Looking Back Through the Years From the files of The Blyth Stan­ dard, T he Brussels Post and The North Huron Citizen 52 YEARS AGO AUG. 26, 1942 Charles Scon, who had served on lhe staff of lhe Department of Labour, Civil Service Commission in Ottawa, resigned to accept a position in the offices of the Ford Motor Company of Canada al Windsor. Mr. Scott was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Scott of East Wawanosh. Mr. Howard Wylie of Wroxcler was appointed an officer in the 2nd 99lh Battery RCA as second lieu­ tenant. Lieut. Robert Shaw Stewart, for­ merly teacher at Toronto University and cousin of Mrs. G. Gallaher of Brussels was reported missing after the Dieppe raid. Playing al the Regent Theatre, Seaforth was Wild Rill Hickok Rides, starring Constance Bennett and Bruce Cabot. East Huron Produce advertised that they had "Everything to make lhe hens lay A Grade eggs.". A 20 oz. can of tomato juice was eight cents al L.W. Eckmier's while lhe Arcade Slore offered boys long pants for Si.59 as a back to school special. Four pounds of pure honey could be bought al the Red Band Slore for 60 cents. 13 YEARS AGO AUG. 26, 19X1 Two women remained in hospital following an explosion that caused an estimated $500,000 damage at Huronview, the county home for the aged in Clinton. The explosion was believed to have been caused by a gas leak, originally sent 11 to hospital. There were no serious injuries or deaths. Ted John's He Won't Come in From lhe Rarn, starring cows, Comet and Alice, appeared on Blyth Festival's summer season program. Elsie Shaddick was president of the Londesboro Happy Gang. Blyth youngsters raised $1,270 in pledge money al their roller skalc- a-thon. The funds were to buy re­ conditioned precision roller skates for the arena. lhe Great Muppet Caper was sharing a double bill with The Lone Ranger al Brownies Drive-in The­ atre, Clinton. FIVE YEARS AGO Letters THE EDITOR, I am a parent of one of the teens in the Blyth Festival Young Company. After thoroughly enjoying Wednesday evening's performance of Our Parents Made Us Do It I came home to read your paper's article on this play. I found lhe comment of AUG. 23, 19X9 Steve Sparling was appointed lhe new Blyth councillor, filling a vacancy left by the resignation of Dave Mcdd. Blyth approved expansion of the Memorial Hall, which would link it io the Festival administration build­ ing. Well-known area skating duo Peter MacDonald and Kerrie Shep­ herd called it quits after six years together. Brussels begins recycling. Seven girls were entered in lhe Brussels Queen of the Fair contest. Walton hosted a Squirt Round Robin tournament. Doug and the Slugs performed at the Brussels Morris and Grey Com­ munity Centre. The group was sponsored by the Optimists, with proceeds going to the ball park lights. Parent has her say wondering what adults would think of the play' negative and uncalled for. Unusual it certainly is, but this particular adult found it refreshing, humorous and adventurous. As a parent I have -had no problems whatsoever with my son being introduced to "innovative and avant garde theatre". In fact, 1 am grateful for the opportunity for him. Society depends on innovation and avant garde thinking and behaviour Continued on page 5