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The Citizen, 2003-07-02, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Alan Young, Patty Van der Meer The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North . Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $28.00/year ($26.17 + $1.83 G.S.T.) in Canada; $80.00/year in U.S.A, and $100/year in other foreign countries. 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 newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Publications Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40050141 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website wwW.northhuron.on.ca j^ocna CsNA Member ofjhe Ontario Press Council History, with a light touch The Blyth Festival’s opening presentation of The Perilous Pirate’s Daughter sets a a great example for Canada as we approach Canada Day: know your history — but don’t take it too seriously. The musical comedy by Anne Chislett and David Archibald, takes a light look at a little-known story of our history, the fact that in the early 1800s there was a pirate on the Great Lakes. In doing so the authors tell us a good deal about a pivotal moment of Canadian history, the 1837 Rebellion, without making history seem either dull or too important. There are probably few places in the world in which school children spend less time learning about the history of their country, let alone their communities, than Cainada. As well, because we live beside the world’s greatest purveyor of popular culture, many Canadians don’t even watch Canadian television so they won’t learn their own stories there. It’s not healthy for a country to know so little about itself as Canadians do. But at the samejime, in recent years we’ve seen what can happen when people obsess over their history too much, in Northern Ireland and the former Yugoslavia people who outwardly looked the same still found reasons to hate/each other through constantly rehashing past injustices. In the Middle East, peace will not come until Israelis and Palestinians are able to forget the violence perpetrated on them by the other side. The success of Canada in integrating people from around the world holds a beacon of hope for world peace. In cities like Toronto, people who came from countries that were traditionally enemies have learned to co­ exist. Th£ rivalries may still be there between Serbs and Croats, for instance, but for the most part they have learned that in this country it’s not permissible to act out old grievances. That’s a healthy society. So history becomes a delicate balance. If you don’t take it seriously enough, your country can’t know itself. If you take history too seriously, you risk repeating evils of the past. Like The Perilous Pirate’s Daughter Canada needs to find the right balance of knowing the history but being able to laugh at it too. — KR A power for good There’s a tiny ray of hope for peace in the Middle East these days but that there is any hope at all is a result of the pressure exerted by George W. Bush, the leader of the most powerful country in the world. While people may worry about the ability of the United States to interfere unilaterally in any comer of the world it wants to, the current ceasefire declared by Palestinian terrorist groups and withdrawal of Israeli troops from some occupied areas wouldn’t have taken place without the pressure only the U.S. could apply. Of course even here power isn’t absolute. The right conditions had to be in place before Mr. Bush’s diplomatic and economic might could bring the parties together. There’s evident extremist groups like Hamas would have lost their support among war-weary Palestinians if they had refused to help bring about peace In the meantime a large majority of Israelis were tired of the constant revenge sought by their government on terrorists. Hopefully this combination of push and pull can keep the peace. — KR Letters to the Editor Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, On Saturday, July 19 between noon and 5 p.m. on the front lawn of the Huron County courthouse in Goderich I, along with some community partners, will be hosting a Picnic in the Park for the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario. This free admission, non­ partisan, family-oriented event is open to all and will feature something for everyone regardless of age. Aside from other events being held in the area that day, the Picnic in the Park will feature some of the following: • an old-fashioned village fair with a fish pond and ring toss for the kiddies • free balloons for the children • free face painting • buskers throughout the grounds of the courthouse lawn • children’s duck train ride around the courthouse inner circle • clowns • testimonials from those who have used the Children’s Hospital • dunk tank ready and waiting for local “celebrities” • fish, hamburgers and hotdogs sold by the Junior C hockey club, the Shriners and the Rotary Club of Goderich • live music and entertainment of all types in the band shell from noon to five p.m. • A large tent in front of the band shell in case of extreme heat or rain. This is an alcohol-free family day and there is absolutely no admission charge. There will be wishing wells spread around the property. Should you desire, contributions of any size will be greatly appreciated by the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario. As the local Member of Parliament, it is my very great pleasure to invite you, your family and friends to this very exciting event. Come for the fun, the music and the shopping and along the way, let’s help out an outstanding hospital. Sincerely, Paul Steckle, MP, Huron-Bruce. July 4,1968 Grade 8 graduates at Brussels Public School were Nancy Adams, Colleen Cardiff, Joan Elliott, Don Gibson, Murray Gordon, Ron Hinton, Greg Huether, Larry Johnston, Bernice Kumm, Pat Machan, Cheryl McCutcheon, Shirley McCutcheon, Sharon McCutcheon, John McDonald, Joan McLennan, Connie McWhirter, Nelson Nicholson, Shirley Pipe, Roberta Pullman, Pasty Rooney, John Rutledge, Joan Simpson, Joan Stephenson, Brian Stratychuk, Julie Vallance, Donna Workman, Donna Lee Turnbull. Brussels students recommended for a secondary school honour diploma, for success completion of Grade 13 were Marni Bronson, David Gowing, David Huether, Ann McKercher and Gordon Rutledge. Several friends gathered to witness the test flight of Jim Armstrong’s Pietenpol, an ultra-light aircraft, at Sky Harbour Airport, Goderich. Jim purchased the plane from B.H. Pietenpol of Minnesota about seven years earlier. July 4,1973 Bill Elston, reeve of Morris Twp. had dined with the Queen at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto by special invitation. At his table werethe editor of The Globe and Mail, MPP for Huron Jack Riddell and the secretary to the governor general. Blyth council expressed displeasure with the condition of Blyth Public School to the Huron County Board of Education. Councillor William Howson said, “I think we’re being left out by the board.” While other school had portable classrooms, Blyth kindgartens were forced to have classes on the stage of the auditorium. There wasn’t even a name on the school, nor was there landscaping of any kind, Howson said. Blyth Public School valedictorians were Philip Street and Sandy Marshall. July 6,1988 With -Huron crops suffering the effects of the worst drought since the Dirty 30s, many fields were hit with a killing frost that left plants twisted and seared. Rainfall for the month of June was 16.5 mm. The year before the total amount for the same month was 102 mm. Officers of the Wingham OPP were investigating the cultivation of a large quantity of marijuana in a secluded area of Grey Twp. Approximately 800 plants with a projected street value of $150,000 were found. The Willie family took over ownership of Snell’s Grocery Ltd. in Blyth, operating it under the name of Blyth Supermarket. Residents of Grey were now required to show their identification cards before dumping refuse at the township’s landfill site. Twp. reeve Leona Armstrong volunteered for guard duty until an attendant was hired. Officers for the Londesboro and District Lions Club were installed. They were: past president, Keith Allan; president, Dave Overboe; first vice-president, Ian Hulley; second vice-president, Robert Shaddick; third vice-president, Ron Nesbitt; secretary, Bill Shaddick; treasurer, Bill Bromley. A Belgrave hog operation was awarded first place in the Ontario Pork Congress carcass competition. Bodmin Ltd. of RR5, Brussels took first place with 80.46 points out of a possible 100 for average daily gain, lean yield score and meat quality. One of Ontario’s premier Holstein breeders returned from a five-day stay in Japan where he was invited to judge one of that nation’s top dairy shows. Glen McNeil of Heather Holme Farms, RR6, Goderich spent part of a week in June judging the 174 head of purebred Hol steins at the annual spring show at Obihiro. Belgrave Guides Krista Bird and Ann Gamiss received their all-round cord. June 30,1993 Doug Fortune of Belgrave was elected chairperson of the Wingham and District Hospital board of governors. Cutting the ribbon to officially open Huronlea were Warden Tom Tomes, MPP Paul Klopp, Gail Ure, the area manager of the long-term care division of the London office, Ministry of Health, Jack Beattie, residents council president and councillor Norman Fairies, chairperson of the 1993 committe of management. The students of East Wawanosh PS were the first large contributors to the new HIV/AIDS clinic in Clinton, raising $400. July 1,1993 The record precipitation for another dry June was 22.2 mm. Hope Lowe received the annual Friend of the Lions Club award. The new Brussels Lions executive was: past president Robert Hesse; president, John Exel; first vice- president, Greg Ducharme; second vice-president, Frank Workman; third vice-president, Tim Prior; secretary, Jim Armstrong; treasurer, Bob Thomas. At Blyth school’s year-end award ceremony public speakers, Jessica Nethery, Amanda Bearss, Candi Bearrs, Darcey Cook, Michelle Cook, Erin Moore, Dean Linner and Jamie Lewis were honoured with trophies.