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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-10-25, Page 44 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Octob. 25, 1995 Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 TERRI-LYNN DALE General Manager & Advertising Manager MARY MELLOR - Soles PAT ARMES - Office Manager DIANNE McGRATH - Subscriptions & Classifieds PAVE SCOTT - Editor GREGOR CAMPBELL - Reporter JOAN MELLEN - Typesetter / Proofreader BARB STOREY • Distribution A Burgoyne Community Newspaper SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 28.00 a yeor, in advance, plus 1.96 G.S.T. ,SEN}OR - 25.00 o year, in odvonce, plus 1.75 G.S.T. nc . Strotford addresses: 28.00 o year, in odvonce, plus 7,28 postage, plus 2.47 G.S.T Qvt-of Of -Area: 28.00 o year, in advance, plus 11.44 posioge, plus 2.76 G.S.T USA & Foreign: 28.00 a year in advance, plus $76.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt RIPf1ON RATES: n weekly by Signal-Stor Publishing at 100 Main St., Seaforth. Publication moil registration No. 0696 held of Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is occepted on condition that in the event of a typogrophicol error, the odvertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be chorged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for of the applicable rote. In the event of o typographical error, odvertising goods or services of wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely on offer to sell and may be withdrawn at ony time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the toss or domoge of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other moteriols used for reproduction purposes. Changes of 5ddress, orders for subscriptions and undeliv- erable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Editorial and Business Offices - 100 Main Street.,Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519t 527.2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK two Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association and the Ontario Press Council Editorial Quebec referendum 'Yes' vote will spell economic calamity On the eve of the Quebec referendum set for Monday, October 30, 1995, Canadians in the other nine provinces are holding their breath. The debate is almost at an end. The rhetoric is waning. It's the hour of decision. At time of writing, the "yes" and "no" camps are neck -and -neck. The outcome is uncertain. Quebecers seem to have chosen sides against each other - the traditional French following the separatists, the rest behind the federalists. The best guess is that the final determination for Quebec and ultimately for Canada will be made by those Quebecers who are still wringing their` hands in frustration, not knowing which way to vote. It's' a sobering thought. If Quebec votes "no", all Canada will rejoice - until the next time the separatists raise a leader with fresh energy but the same old vision. If Quebec votes "yes", it's economic calamity for everyone - Quebecers and the rest of Canadians alike. The first concern will be repayment of a $600 billion debt, roughly 40 per cent of it owed to foreign investers. Our second concern will be how to negotiate the terms of Quebec'►s separation without adding any unnecessary hardships for Canadians who will be struggling with a falling dollar, high interest rates, lowered credit rating, disrupted markets, panic in the workplace, shifting population, restructured governments, frustrated consumers, disconsolate citizens. Columnist Richard Gwyn recently asked this question: "If Canadians were unwilling to grant special status to Quebec within Confederation, as they showed during the Meech Lake and Charlottetown affairs, why on Earth would . they grant super -special status - a veto over national decision-making - to a foreign country?" It's an important question. Obviously Lucien Bouchard and Jacques Parizeau believe separation is the best way to achieve this "super -special status" they think is their right as one of two founding "peoples" in Canada. That is not the way the situation is viewed in the other nine provinces who feel the country is stronger -because of the diversity of our heritage, our language, our resources, our cultures, our geography. IQebc votes "yes" on Monday, Canada will be split apart. Her people will be divided. There will be anger and contempt and militancy from coast to coast. The way back to peaceful co -existence will be long and difficult - maybe even impossible for the foreseeable future. It will be far, far too late for the accord that was once so near. - SJK l Letters to the Editor 1995 Poppy Campaign Funds raised go to needy veterans, dependents, widows Dear Editor, For many years the people of Seaforth and arca have been most generous in contributing to the annual Poppy Campaign of Branch 156 of the Royal Canadian Legion. Funds which the public contribute arc held in trust in a separate account and do not form any part of branch finances. The amount collected in the 1994 campaign was $5,475.13 with expenditures totalling $3,772.30 and donations totalling $1659.10. The Poppy Trust Fund is a reserve from which assistance can be given to needy veterans, their dependants and the widows and children of deceased ex -service personnel. We trust that the local citizens will continue to lend their usual strong support to the 1995 Poppy Campaign by wearing a poppy and being receptive to . the legion member or cadet knocking on your door during the poppy drive to be held on Sunday, Nov. 5. Your donation will be appreciated. Errol Skillendcr Poppy Chairman Legion Branch 156 Mom had to quit playing league hockey I'm not sure if my mother is losing it or simply executing a clever and devious plan to send me up to Penetang in a caged vehicle and wearing a white jacket that laces up in the back. Very tightly. Last month I got a message to get Margaret to a local doctor's office for a test at 1:00 p.m. We're trying to get approval for a home care program in which a lady will come to her apartment a couple times a week, spend time with my mother and then leave with a really bad headache. So we sit down with a geriatrics specialist who has no idea what kind of test he's supposed to administer because the family doctor didn't forward the paper work. "So what's wrong with her?" - he asks. "Well," I begin, "my mother is 89 years old and has arthritis in her hands, knees and back. She's been in two car accidents which have left a bump on her head and pain across the shoulders. She has an artificial hip, a lump on her throat and cataracts covering one eye." I swear to God he looked directly at me and said: "Has this caused her any problems?" I turned around to make sure he wasn't talking to someone else, perhaps an evil phantom son who whispered: "It's only a hangnail Doc, she's a chronic complainer!" . So I said: "Well, you know she's had to quit playing hockey in the Welland Industrial League." He did not smile, smerk or sneer. I am not making a word of this up — he shuffled some papers looked over at my mother and said: "You know at your age, you shouldn't be on the ice." My mother is oblivious to all this because she still prefers to wear her hearing aid in the change compartment of her purse. "I'm just going to ask your mother a few questions to test her short term memory," he says. Oh boy, I'm thinking, if my mother ever went on Jeopardy, the last thing you'd ever hear her say would be: "I'll take Short Term Memory for 50, Alex." "Mrs. Thomas, what's the date today... what day of the month is today? he asks. Then he repeats the question loudly. My mother looks up at the ceiling, then down at her shoes, then realizes he's preoccupied with his papers so she looks over at me. shrugs and mouthes the word "eight'?" I give her a blank stare. She gives me another inquisitive nod and silently says "eight?" It dawns on me that my mother is asking me to help her cheat on her short term memory test. My biggest fear is.that if I help her, she'll finally figure out how I managed to get through college. "Six," I mouth back. "It's the sixth today," she says. "Sorry, it's the fifth," says the doctor, making a note. My mother looks at me, shakes her head and gives me that "I can't believe you got through college" look. "What year were you born, Mrs. Thomas?" asks the doctor as he returns to his file. My mother looks at me, and nods. I hold up five fingers and a thumb. "Six" I mouth. Much like a fastball pitcher I'd just given the curve sign to, my mother shakes me off. "Six" l say in silence and hold up six digits. She hesitates thinking I'm still working on the day of the month question. I he doctor looks up. "It was about 1906," she says. The doctor looks at me and I nod. The doctor nods at my mother and says "okay." As he looks down at his notes Margaret gives me the thumbs up sign. I can't take anymore of this. "Look I have to pick up some groceries, I'll be hack in a half hour," I say, as my mother shoots me a look of betrayal. But before I can close the office door she says: "Don't forget the bananas." Right. If the short term memory test involved bananas, bran or Sleeman's Lager, my mother would have aced it. About a week later we got word that Margaret's home care application had been approved. "I guess 1 did pretty good on that test," she said to me. "Yeah," I replied, "you did great." There was absolutely no way in the world I was going to try and explain to my mother that you have to fail the test to successfully qualify for the • home care program. Frankly, 1 just can't take that "I can't believe you got through college" look. Biking isn't fun anymore Dear Editor, I don't think the helmet law is fair. I think it should be our choice. For little kids, okay, I can see that. If the. law was maybe 12 and under, that would be a lot fairer. People our age should be allowed to make their own decisions. I am 13 and I love riding my bike around town. Now I don't like to. People want to look their own way. Most kids I know quit riding their bikes after Oct. 1 because they don't want to wear a helmet. Most people my age think helmets are way uncool and so do I. Usually people see my best friend and I biking. Now we walk, but are in the house most of the time. Biking isn't fun anymore. Amanda Weber Grade 8, Seaforth Public School DAVID SCOTT PHOTO OCTOBER IS HOME RENOVATION MONTH - The Honourable David Dingwall recently proclaimed October as Renovation Month on behalf of CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation). It looks like St. James School in Seaforth took that message literally as it recently bulldozed two old houses adjacent to school property to be used in the future as additional playground space. As well, a small portion of the property will be used to cre- ate about a dozen new parking spaces. School children from St. James watched and cheered as the houses were demolished. Brothers face grand jury for C4th robbery FROM THE PAGES OF THE HURON EXPOSITOR NOVEMBER 1, 1895 Major James A. Anderson, together with his worthy assist- ant, Mr. H. Watson, and Engin- eer Robert Roberts, have been making marked improvements in and around the waterworks building. The ditch in front of the building and wood yard has been all filled in and levelled off, and seeded with grass. , Inside, the floors, pumps and engine have been painted and varnished, and now look as bright and good as new, while the walls have received a coat of calcimine, and handy cup- boards have been made for tools, etc. * * * FOOTBALL NOTES - The first match of the season for the Hough cup will be played on the recreation grounds on Saturday afternoon, between our Collegiate Institute team and the Berlin High School team. Should our boys win, as they undoubtedly will, they will have to play with Chatham and Clinton teams. The Seaforth team is com- posed of Crich, Clarkson, McKinley, Willis, Ewing, Livingston, Dickson, Morrison, Wren, Mclntbsh and Jackson. The Seaforth boys play Galt next wcek. In the Years Agone OCTOBER 29, 1920 TUCKERSMITH - West End Notes: The farmers here are taking advantage of the fine weather and are getting the potatoes and roots gathered in. Miss Turner attended the Teachers' Convention at Wingham last week. Messrs. F. Townsend and Frank Crich motored to Toronto last week. Miss McClymont, of London, visited her sister her this wcek. We are glad to report that Mrs. Amos Townsend is able to be around again after a very severe illness. Mr. Robert White and son Bert, returned Inst week from the West. * * * MUSICAL EVENING - A most unique instructive hour was enjoyed Friday evening last at the home of Mr. Savauge, when the pupils and some friends of Mr. Harry Livens met for a Tchaikovsky lecture. The following compositions by Tchaikovsky were given: Piano numbers, C. Lauson Inste, played by , Miss Evelyn - Cudmore; June, played by Miss Billy Chesney. Various selec- tions from Victoria records were played. NOVEMBER 2, 1945 The grand jury Tuesday afternoon brought in an indict- ment of breaking, entering and theft of a safe at the Seaforth Creamery on the night of June 17th, against Dayton, Marvem and Charles Platten, brothers, of Toronto, in the Supreme Court Tuesday afternoon. All three Plattens pleaded not guilty to the charge of break- ing, entering and theft at the Seaforth Creamery and the petit jury was empanelled. Crown Attorney D.E. Holmes is the prosecutor. Frank Donnelly, K.C. is appearing for Dayton and Marvcrn Platten, and W.a. Sutherland for Charles Platten. Charles Barber, manager of the Seaforth Creamery, was the first witness called in the rob- bery case. He identified two large crowbars and an axe which he had seen outside the creamery on the morning of the robbery. The creamery had been broken into and the com- bination and handle knocked off the safe which he found outside the building. The safe was light green in colour and he said the strong box had been tampered with but not opened. OCTOBER 29, 1970 A hundred years activity in Seaforth was marked Saturday night when members of Fidel- ity Lodge No. 55 Independent Order of Oddfellows held a dinner in the Legion Hall. Established March 8, 1870 the Lodge had grown to such an extent that within four years it erected its own building; which it has continued to occupy. The large block at the comer of Main and Govenlock Streets has had few changes since it was opened and dedi- cated February 5, 1875 although the ground floor has accommodated a succession of tenants. The annual peanut drive of the Scaforth Lions Club netted $249, Lions were told at a meeting in the Community Centre Monday. Preliminary plans for the 1971 Summer Carnival were outlined by vice-president Wm.Pinder. Members dis- cussed the advisability .tf a change in date from the latter pant of June until early in July but deferred a decision until it could be determined whether rides would be available. H