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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-06-29, Page 61 6 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Jun* 29, 1994 Local Students learn electrical safety BY DAVID SCOTT Expositor Staff Why can birds stand on wires and not get zapped? Bill Coakley has the answer. Seaforth Public School and St. James School in Seaforth were host to an electrical safety presentation by Bill Coakley of Ontario Hydro recently. The presentation was sponsored by the Seaforth PUC. Birds can walk on 500,000 volt lines and not be electrocuted. But if one of their feet were to touch the ground, the electricity would be conducted through their body and they'd be zapped. Coakley entertained and informed students with stories including personal experiences. Live electrical demonstrations and a video on electrical safety were also shown. Coakley, who lost an eye in a construction accident when he was in his 20s, related simple safety tips for working around the house. He reminded students to wear safety glasses or goggles when they are cutting the lawn or hammering. He told the audience to always use a number 15 blue fuse at home in the fuse -box. (Only dryers, air conditioners and stoves use higher ones, he said). Try to use a ground plug with all electrical appliances. If there's a short in something, the fuse will blow instead of someone receiving a shock. Never break off the third prong (or ground) on a plug. The ground is no longer there to protect them from a shock, "That's how people get electrocuted," said Coakley. He recommends using a ground DAVID SCOTT PHOTO SAFETY POSTERS - Students from St. James and Seaforth Public schools made up dozens of posters on electrical safety following a presentation by Bill Coakley. Posters are on display at the PUC. fault circuit intercepter for outlets in the bathroom (also for outside use or near a pool). It automatically shuts off power if there's a short- circuit. After you unplug the faulty appliance you can reset the power. Coakley warned children of the dangers of flying kites near high wires and climbing in trees near power lines. He told true stories of people who narrowly escaped death doing those two things. Even tree branches have enough moisture in them to conduct electricity. In an exciting demonstration, Coakley showed what could be the possible result of being electrocuted by a 120 -volt household charge. With the lights out in the gym- nasium, he ran 120 volts through a dill pickle. It glowed yellow in the dark. He also literally cooked a hotdog with electricity. He showed that although the skin of the hotdog burned, the inside remained cool. All students were given a pamph- let published by Ontario Hydro entitled What everyone should know about electrical safety. A play with something to say BY TIM CUMMING Expositor Editor The official opening of the Blyth Festival's 20th season was greeted with a standing ovation for the season opener Glengarry School Days. The play recreates the age of one - room school houses in an Eastern Ontario land which grows only two crops, "stones and snow." Stern Scots ruled their homes with an iron hand and young children offended the Presbyterian sensibil- ities of their parents by getting into trouble in the wild, frontier land. The Blyth Festival should be congratulated for staging a play which actually has something to say. The play tells a great deal about the origin of the European settlers in Canada, from whom many of us descended. Glengarry School Days recalls a time when Canadians were proud of their land and political institutions. In the current climate of Canadian bitter- ness, with its lack of national vision and hope, the play reminds its viewers of a period in our history when Canada's future appeared bright and worth debating. The play is set in 1878 when an emotional free trade debate was dividing the country along political lines. Viewing the play today, as the once -proud Conservatives have only two scats, much of the humour about Tory -Grit rivalry falls flat. In a background of Canadian apathy to all things political it may be poor timing for a play dealing with political themes. At times, it would seem this play would have been more topical during the recent Free Trade election. The play does make some timely statements about parental use of force, however. M.P. Paul Steckle, a proponent of corporal punishment, sat in the audience at opening night on June 24 as the play made some damning comments about parents beating their children. From a commercial standpoint Glengarry School Days may be an unusual box office choice to open such a crucial season in Blyth's history. There is no sexual innuendo in this play, no vulgar language, no glamour or intrigue and only the suggestion of violence. The play demonstrates, however, that a powerful drama can be created from a Canadian theme. Playwright Anne Chislctt (along with director Janet Amos) have amalgamated three books by Ralph Connor, a Presbyterian minister and missionary in the late 1800's. At one time the books, Glengarry School Days, Man from Glengarry and 7'orche.s Through the Bush, were popular reading for any adult or school student. His books, which also included The Sky Pilot and Black Rock, sold more than five million copies. Hopefully this production will help revive a series which helps record an important time in Cana- dian and Ontario history. Local school children should take the opportunity to view the play and find our atxwt their past. Period music in the second half of All Deposits 3 0/ Insured Within Limits Rates subject To Verification 5 YEAR ANNUAL 4 0 8 a 6, 8 , ar.ar 2raar so Cotta stw Comp. AnnuYl Annual Dala RRSP eit# Doug Elliott, B. Math IIS 'EFFECTIVE JUNE 20th esC,ntn SUMMER HOURS 10-4:30' Investment & Tax Planning Secure Investment Products ... from people you can trust SEAFORTH 96 Main St. 527-0420 Corporation of the COUNTY OF HURON Health Unit NOTICE The Sexual Health drop -ins will no longer be held on Thursday evenings in the Clinton Office. Sexual health counselling and birth control methods are available at the Clinton Office, Monday to Friday from 1:15 - 4:15 p.m. Please contact the Health Unit at 482-3416 or 1-800-265-5184 for further information. p DO YOUR PART Please put yukkies in their place SCHOOL DAYS - Shown here in Glengarry School Days are Brenda Devine as Mary Finch, Thomas Albrecht as Thomas Finch, Sheri Hastings as Maimie St. Clair, Naomi Woodall as Jessac, Andrew Croft as Ronald the show helped lighten the some- times -dry flavour of the opening. The set was a masterpiece, success- fully evoking the feeling of the rugged and bare 1880's in Ontario. The only criticism which could be applied to the production is the ineffective use of canned music and voices during scene transitions. People go to Blyth to see live the- atre, not to hear muffled tape - recordings. This is a minor criti- cism, however, for an otherwise flawless play. There were solid performances by all members of the cast, including professional showings by some young actors from Huron County. Two standouts in the play include an endearing characterization of schoolteacher Archie Munro (by actor Robcrt Pcrsichini) and colour- ful Long John Cameron, who pro- vides much of the play's lighter moments, portrayed by Cliff Saunders. Glengarry School Days runs in repertory until Saturday, July 30. JAMES HOCKING PHOTO/COURTESY BLYTH FESTIVAL MacDonald and Teaguen Onn as Hughie Murray. Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM ISI (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications Are Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTORS Larry Gardner, R R 2 Stafla Uoyd Manson, Mitchell Lome Feeney, Mitchell Jack Hodgert. R R 1 Kirklon Joseph Chaffe, R R 5 Mitchell Michael O'Shea. R R 3 Granton AGENTS Bryan Laois, Clinton Ross Hodgen, Exeter John Moore, Dubin Joseph Urrac, Mtchell Head Office, Exeter 345-2678 3484589 3488853 229 6152 348-9705 225-2600 482-9310 235-3250 345-2512 3489012 2350350 A refund from surplus was declared for all policy holders who qualify, are on record and In good standing as et December 31, 1993. Mark Coulthard DON'T WORRY, IT IS NOT TOO LATE! So, your lawn was covered with a mass of Dandelions this spring? You dldn't get around to controlling them, and the yellow blossoms are now white seed heads. Don't worry, it Is not too late to get those Dandelions under control. Weed control products act as plant growth hormones which are taken Into plant tissues. These specific plant hormones confuse the plant's growing centres and cause the plant to 'grow itself to death' and use up food sources. Weed control will still be effective. Don't worry, it's not too late! Next Week: Dry Can Die! 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