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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-12-21, Page 4A9cna +CNA ,67 • Ulan Member of the Ontario Press Council MIECOMIN We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscrlpts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are Copyright CanadN. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Looking Back Through the Years PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2006. Editorial Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Ken Warwick & Kelly Quesenberry 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 $32.00/year ($30.19 + $1.81 G.S.T.) in Canada;., $92.00/year in U.S.A. and $175.00/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 wit be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 09244 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: norhuron@scsinternet.com The Citizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH., Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1H0 NOG 1H0 Phone 523-4792 Phone 887-9114 FAX 523-9140 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinternet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca Rejoicing in a success story Sometimes it seems like there is little we can do to change people's bad behaviour, but sometimes there are amazing successes. One of those successes has been the change in the attitude of society about drinking too much and continuing to drive, particularly at the holiday season. There once was a time when many people gave little thought to the danger they were putting others in if they went to a holiday party, drank too much, then got in the car and drove home while their ability was impaired by the presence of alcohol in their system. It was even fashionable to laugh at how "hammered" people were when they drove. If they went in a ditch it wasn't something to be ashamed of but a joke to share with your drinking buddies. But a combination of changing peer , pressure and a crackdown by police, has done much to change the drinking culture. Led by groups like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), an attitude change has been inculcated into society. This has been reinforced by the RIDE checks instituted by police forces, very visible roadside tests that make people take a second thought before getting behind the wheel after a night of celebration. They know the police are out there and they just might get caught. And so today we have new phrases in our culture, like "designated , driver". We have an awareness of the danger of getting in a car with a drunk driver, and an urgency to prevent friends from getting. behind the wheel if they are a danger to themselves or others. Unfortunately there are still too many impaired drivers on the road. There will still be too many lives ruined this holiday season (and the rest of the year for that matter) because drunken drivers do not respect those who share the road with them, or even the murderous weapon their car becomes when they're guiding it while not in control of their faculties. Still, we've come a long way, and such successes should be celebrated while keeping up the battle to change attitudes even more. — KR The right things celebrated In a multicultural country, religious holidays such as Christmas can be a source of conflict, such as the Toronto judge who ruled a Christmas tree must be moved to a less conspicuous location in her courthouse because it might offend non-Christians. One doesn't have to be a Christian, however, to approve of one of the main elements of this holiday seasons: the emphasis on family. Even one of the more debatable aspects of Christmas — the gluttonous orgy of gift giving and receiving — stems from wanting to give things that will show our love and bring pleasure to our family and friends. Our holiday feasts carry on the age-old tradition of celebrating together over the best food we can assemble. And so, even though our society sometimes gets carried away and people put pressure on themselves for a "perfect" Christmas, the holiday remains, at its heart, a celebration about what is good about humanity. That's something that can be recognized by people of all faiths. So remember, this Christmas, that the bringing together of a loving family can be the greatest gift, not the outward glitter. — KR Letter to the editor THE EDITOR, During the holidays, we are often told to remember those people who are less fortunate. We are encouraged to think about those who cannot afford to participate in holiday traditions. We do know about them, and we help. Think of organizations like Coats for Kids and the Huron County Christmas Bureau. But what about our soldiers who are fighting overseas? They don't get to participate in holiday events like dinners and gift exchanges, either. Do we just forget about them? No, of course not. We should help them as well. So, over the holiday season, it is important to remember our soldiers. They are fighting to keep our country free. They are helping bring freedom to other countries as well. Even if we do not agree with why the soldiers are overseas, everyone should enjoy a happy holiday season. Recently, Corporal Dan MacKinnon took care of getting special gift packages to soldiers overseas. These packages included items like cookies, chocolate bars, playing cards, and deodorant. This idea came from a local Central Huron Secondary School alumnus who saw Richard Fitoussi at the school's Remembrance Day assembly. Fitoussi talked about remembering the soldiers overseas and introducing his movie Ghosts of War. Learn more at www.3world.ca/Site/Home.html. To read more about this event, you can view it on the CHSS Website: Reflect our Appreciation (oliver.typepad.comkhss/2006/11/b oxed_appreciat.html). So, over the holiday season, remember the soldiers overseas fighting for you, and other countries, too. James Wilkinson SPARK Youth Team Dec. 24, 1959 England's Princess Margaret celebrated her 29th birthday in Windsor, England with friends and family. An amazing photo was featured of what appeared to be a man desperately crouching low to the ground as the wreck of a car is hurtling through the air toward him. The photo was of talented German race car driver Hans Hermann clinging to the ground for dear life as his own race car goes flying through the air. Hermann survived the crash miraculously with no serious injuries, but the day preceding his race, beloved French driver Jean Behra was killed during a horrific crash such as this. The type of hassles usually seen during hockey games was witnessed at a particularly competitive matchup between members of baseball teams the Giants, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The violent pile- up at a game taking place in San Francisco developed over an alleged spiking at third base. A couple from London, Kentucky lost their only child to a heartwrenching disease which could have been prevented. The two-year- old victim's mother said that she had continued to put off getting her daughter vaccinated for polio without noticing until one day her daughter was struck down with it. TWo months later the young girl tragically passed away from infantile paralysis. Dec. 21, 1960 Inventor Jean Jacques Perrey was successful in developing a highly revolutionary keyboard instrument. The Ondioline was a 44-pound electronic keyboard hybrid which was capable of producing sounds to match those of the tuba, trombone, clarinet, trumpet, bass fiddle, or cello, all played on a three-octave keyboard. • chimps were being forced to do chores in a furniture factory in an experiment to find out if the primates could possibly at some point replace the human workers of the establishment. Lack of focus or co-operation from the chimps succeeded in putting an end to the possibly dangerous plan. A U.S. Navy man returned home from a mission to England with an expensive Jaguar car after perhaps taking advantage of some of the natives. U.S. Navy Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Cecil H. Francis purchased the vehicle from an English man who could not afford to fill the car with gas, or complete any repairs. The car was sold for a grand total of one pound, or $2.80 American. President John F Kennedy was the proud father of a new son, John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. Lucille Ball made her broadway debut in her highly anticipated musical Wildcat. Playing a lady `wildcatter' ( independent oil prospector) in the production, the play's opening on Broadway would mark her first ever performance on the New York stage, following a long and successful television and film career. An interesting modern mural decorated the simplistic altar in the newly rebuilt St. Bonafice's Church in London, England. The famous church was completely destroyed by Nazi bombs during the Second World War. Dec. 19, 1973 The Maitland Conservation Authority announced the winners of its naming contest, held in order to find a name for the newly-appointed wildlife preserve in East Wawanosh Twp. The first-place winner was - Wawanosh Valley Conservation Area, submitted by Kim McDowell of Belgrave. The second prize winner was Mait-E-Waw Wildlife Preserve submitted by Sharon Carter of Blyth, and third place went to Maitland Bend Conservation Area submitted by Dianne Scott of Belgrave. Dec. 22, 1987 The Grade 2 students of Blyth Public School paid a special visit to Queens Villa, presenting the residents with holiday decorations, and performing several Christmas carols. The visit was the idea of the Villa's custodian Kathy Bromley, who was also working to set up a pen-pal program between the senior residents and students. Playing at the Lyceum Theatre in Wingham was Like Father Like Son, starring Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron. Also playing at Park Theatre in Goderich was V.0 Anderson's bestselling novel turned film, Flowers in the Attic. Dec. 21, 1990 A poacher from Clifford was charged a small $850 fine for hunting deer during a closed-season. The man was put on trial at the county courthouse in Goderich for shooting and killing deer after being captured on a decoy mission. The accused fired three times at a decoy deer, and was charged under the Game and Fish Act. His $900 high-powered rifle was confiscated. In connection to the case, the Ministry of Natural Resources made a plea to local residents and concerned hunters to report illegal hunting activities immediately at the time of the suspected offense in order to sustain healthy game populations, and uphold the law.