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The Citizen, 2000-07-05, Page 4PAGE 4, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2000 Editorials & Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising Manager, Jeannette McNeil 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 $27.00/year ($25 24 + $1.76 G.S.T.) in Canada: $62 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. 1374990 The Citizen RO. 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 j^ocna ^cna Member of the Ontario Press Council Aren’t we more than a beer ad? Few people have ever celebrated Canada Day the way Jett' Douglas did this past weekend. The actor, turned beer commercial celebrity, zapped from Toronto to Moncton, New Brunswick to Ottawa, back to Toronto, on to Winnipeg and finally to Victoria. B.C. in 36 hours on Friday and Saturday to perform his famous “rant” about being a Canadian. Everywhere he went, crowds Hocked to see him and get his autograph. They wanted to hear him do his 30-second synopsis of what it means to be a Canadian. Molson Breweries, which has seen its market share increase two per cent since the ad appeared on television, was more than happy to fly Douglas across the country to take advantage of the wave of patriotism the commercial has fostered. But “the rant”, is more about what Canadians are not than a true outpouring of patriotism. Mostly it’s a complaint about how ignored we are by Americans. Perhaps it's only natural given that, despite being 133 years old, Canada seems to be a perpetual teenager, always unsure of who we are, always wanting to impress the “cool” neighbour. How many of the people who cheered “the rant”, for instance, first saw the ad while watching an American TV show rebroadcast in Canada? Probably far more than would have seen it on a Canadian program — unless it was on Hockey Night in Canada. Let's face it, though they get grumpy about Americans not seeing them as different, Canadians mostly want to be Americans. We want to watch their television programs, go to their movies, read their best sellers, buy from branches of American chain stores and even, more and more, drink American beer. A culture is built on the shared things a people hold in common that make them unique — a sort of “in” joke. Canadians, however, want to hold in common the things they borrow from the U.S. There are few uniquely Canadian things that we actually share — except maybe beer commercials that play on our confused patriotism. Oh well, better a beer commercial than no culture at all. — KR Small communities, big hearts In this day when the irrelevance small towns and villages, let alone hamlets, seems to be taken for granted the continued heart shown by places like Belgrave and Walton continues to impress. Last week both communities held a celebration: Belgrave happily looking ahead at the dawning of a new millennium and Walton sadly marking the closing of its community school. Despite the different reasons for the community events, both prove the host communities still have a heart — that they are more than just a collection of houses where people sleep at night. It gets harder and harder to maintain this kind of community spirit. Today many people prefer to take amusements supplied by big companies or larger communities than to work at making their own entertainment in their own communities. It’s hard work to pull these kinds of celebrations together. Yet the work not only is rewarded by the pleasure people of the community enjoy, but by working shoulder to shoulder the volunteers are rewarded too. This is what makes small towns unique. It’s this heart that make them special places to live.— KR Three of a kind Photo by Janice Becker Looking Back Through the Years Letters to the Editor THE EDITOR, I am writing this letter on behalf of the Brussels Seniors’ Dining Program. This is a program sponsored by Town and Country Support Services and local volunteers. This program is offered out of the Brussels United Church on the second and fourth Thursday of every month and consists of a full course meal at noon followed by entertainment. It has been my pleasure to co­ ordinate this program on behalf of Town and Country Support Services while Leah Davis has been on maternity leave for the past six months. I have made many valuable friendships in the town of Brussels that I will always cherish. 1 am writing today to particularly highlight one of the programs we recently had at the Brussels Diners. On June 8 the Brussels Seniors Dining Program received the company and entertainment of the Grades 2 and 3 classes from Brussels Public School. The children were accompanied by teachers Lois Anonech and Cindy McKee. Upon amval the children enjoyed some ice cream cones for dessert and even obliged us by singing for their treats. After the treats were gone a few of the children were willing to share some of the highlights about their current school year as they saw them. How interesting it was to hear these stories and to hear about their school gardens. Next the children were encouraged to mingle with those at the dinner they might know or like to speak to. This was done enthusiastically by all. Finally the children were paired with the seniors to play bingo. How much fun it was to see all those smiling enthusiastic faces. The reward of getting one number seemed as exciting to these participants as getting a whole row. I commented that day and must repeat that I have never seen so many genuinely happy and smiling faces in one room before. There were 39 children in all I believe. Continued on page 6 July 4, 1973 Bill Elston, reeve of Morris Twp. dined with Queen Elizabeth at the Royal York hotel in Toronto by special invitation during her visit to Ontario. Elgin Thompson had been a special guest at the ceremony where the Royal couple officially opened the Ganarasta Conservation Area. County Warden Roy Pattison was also a guest during the tour dining with the Queen at Centennial Hall in London. Blyth was one step closer to having sewers following approval from the Minister of Natural Resources. Philip Street and Sandy Marshall were Blyth Public School valedictorians for Grade 8 graduation. Fire destroyed a barn on the property of Rene Vercruyssen of RR2, Blyth. The mystery of the old mill at Benmiller was finally solved. At a public hearing in Carlow, a presentation by representatives of Benmiller Estates said the former woolen mill is to become a “rather rustic rural hotel dining lounge.” July 4, 1990 Three Liberal candidates lined up to replace Jack Riddell, long-time Huron MPP following his announcement that he was retiring. First to declare was Crediton high school teacher Dave McClure. Next was Jim Fitzgerald, former executive assistant to Riddell when he was minister of agriculture. The final candidate was Fred Lobb of Clinton, a long-time farm machinery dealer. Marie Heffron retired after 35 years of delivering the mail to RR3, Blyth customers. Pat Brigham took over the route, in addition to delivering the mail on routes one and two. Forty-four Scouts were awarded their Chief Scouts Award certificates and three Venturers received their Queen’s Venturer Award. Among the recipients was Greg McClinchey from the 1st Blyth Scout troop. For Auburn-area resident Paul Ross the coming of the computer age to his office led to a first novel which was unveiled at a book launching in Bayfield. Four Corners on Main Street was a comic novel about life in a small town. Rev. Paul Ross was the new minister at Knox, Auburn and Londesboro United Churches. Steve Howson was the new president of tlje Blyth Lions while Neil McGavin led the Brussels club. July 5,1995 Union Gas was going to extend natural gas service to Wingham and the surrounding communities of Blyth, Brussels, Teeswater and Londesboro. Christy Pardys and Kelly Cook were hired to staff the Blyth tourist booth for the summer. Leona and Jim Armstrong of Brussels had surprise visitors when a group of hang gliders and their power glider tow plane dropped in. The 10 flyers from the Grand Valley Hang Gliding Shop and the K-W Hang Gliding Club were in the area for a competition held on a farm between Blyth and Auburn. The tow glider was heading to Blyth when confronted with a thunderstorm forcing the pilot to land. Brussels girl Anita Little was one of the members of Team Ontario who competed at the National Youth Dart competition.