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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-11-24, Page 18Page 18 Times -Advocate, November 24,1993 -sr Lucan's emergency p_/an 0 An emergency plan' on paper was given a test by officials of the village of Lucan and the town- ship of Biddulph Saturday moming. In a fictitious scene a large tanker truck carrying anhy- drous ammonia turned over and split open near Biddulph Central School. Above, making emer- gency arrangements are from the left Biddulph reeve Earl French and deputy reeve Jim Shipley, Lucan reeve Tom McLaughlin, deputy reeve Harry Wraith, works superintendent Doug Johnston and clerk Ron Reymer. The Joint' emergency plan for the village of Lucan and the .township of Biddulph was given a` tryout in theory Saturday moming and all were pleased with the results. Shown from the Left are Biddulph assistant clerk Joan Goddard, Lucan treasurer Ruth Meszaros, Middlesex county planning officer Ron Strickland BndBiddi tpI coundillorPaul Wallis. "Old Log School" Entertaining fireside- readin, Gavin Hamilton Wit.-Thell 1d Log School. Natural Iiierittge1 Natural History.Inc..1992. By:Dsvld Yetis BAYPIELD Originally *pub- lished in 1939, The .Old Log School by Gavin H. Green is a nostalgic look back to the .early days of settlement in Huron County. Green, whose life would span. ten decades, was already in his seventies when he wrote this, his first book. A book that re- counts bittersweet memories from his childhood in the 1860s and 1870s. It is a collection of Green's memories about classmates and teachers when the one room schoolhouse was a familiar land- mark which dotted the landscape of rural Ontario. Green's anecdotal and some- times idiosyncratic narrative re- calls a time of bucolic innocence and simplicity. A time when a hard days labour could be rewarded with a single penny. Although it would have been "shocking' to see a young _ girl indulge in"intoxicating liquors", a gallon of hard whiskey could be had for a 'dollar, and a cheap drunk could be enjoyed for as low as 12 1/20, Quaint folk superstitions about be; witched cows and the bad luck which would inevitably follow the killing of a chipmunk on the Sab- bath are part of the charm which adds spice to Green's boyhood memories. As the proprietor/curator of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop from 1902- 48, Green had a tremendous talent for giving a soul to inanimate ob- jects. Whether it was the old clock on the county courthouse or a mus- ty dog eared -school reader, Mr. Green brought life to the objects and events he described. So ever present in• our day, Green as early as the 1930s noted the onset of rural decay. His som- bre account of the dismentberntent and auction of the Sheppardton .Methodist church in 1932 displays en astute awareness that the rural Ontario of his childhood was rapid- ly disappearing. The sale of the old Ston church, one of the last visi lo reminders of a once thriv- ing community which in the 1870s boasted a hotel, school, rake facto- ry, post office, blacksmith shop, Orange hall and two general stores as well as the church evoked a mel- ancholy "feeling of sadness" in Green. Surrounded by strangers, Green is mindful of the fact that he is the only one present who could remember the church's eonsecra- tion 50 years before when as a Presbyterian, he considered it a "great honour" to be invited to take part in the opening ceremonies. A treasure trove of local pioneer folklore, Green's sketches of child- hood in rural Huron County is sure to engage young and old readers alike._ For anyone interested in light, entertaining fireside reading, Gavin Green's The Old Log School is a delightful journey into the ear- ly days of pioneer settlement. Copies of the "Old Log School" may be obtained for Special and Christmas giving at your local book store or from the Huron County Historical Society by call- ing Dave McClure at 228-6219, Rae McFarlane at 565-5200, or Jim Schneider at 526-7396. er ViC . By Vid Thomson Sunday School: Is It all worth it? It was more than just a coinci- dence that the Sunday we had Re- membrance Day services -was the same Sunday that I taught, or tried to teach, Sunday school for my first time. It was sort of like being tossed into the. trenches in the heat of a battle. I had heard that this class was a bit of a handful at times but it was a little more difficult than I had imagined. 1 knew I was in trouble when I went to enter the classroom and had to shove my way in as one of the boys tried to hold the door closed. Once inside, I introduced myself to the group of seven boys and two girls. The boys were already talking among themselves about hockey. After taking attendance, 1 told them to stop the hockey conversation and listen now. They never let on they heard me. I decided to press on with the les- son. 1 was sure it would get their at- tention. After all, I had spent a fair bit of time preparing it, making sure it would be appealing to nine and ten year olds. Making shadow pictures To start the lesson, I was going to read a story about Joshua. I turned out the classroom lights and turned on a small lamp I had brought in, to set the mood for listening. The in- stant the lamp went on, some of the boys began making shadow pic- tures on the walls. I got that activity t halted and despite constant chatter- ing, we managed to get the story read. Then came the part I was certain they would get into. We would re- late the story to today and to our ovhi lives. Basically the story was about Joshua challenging the peo- ple to make a promise to choose God as their leader and how people should take that promise seriously. 'Is there a Jesus in Japan?' I went on to explain that once you make that promise, it can help you with any tough decisions you have to make. Then I asked if any of them had .a tough decision to make Gately.. OK 1Z9y (sails' "l. have: a question. Is there a Jesus in Ja- pan?" so much for my well-planned lesson. "Sure", I sighed. A few other highlights of the class included the leaflets being made into airplanes and the magic markers being thrown around. As I The King lines Elvis stopped by the Exeter Ikon on Satufday to enter- tain patrons with some familiar tunes. Elvis was really Pete Doiron of the Karaoke Kings from London. was confiscating the missiles, one of the girls, who is always happy and smiling, said, 'You know, I haven't been to Sunday school for a little while." "Well, it's nice to have you here," 1 told her. "But", she continued, "if it's this noisy next time, I don't think I'll come back." That did it. I knew it had been a disaster. My heart sank and my last remaining remnants of self- confidence were blown away like dead leaves in an autumn wind. 'Because our parents Made us' The class was almost over. I went to pry two boys apart who were starting to wrestle. As I got them apart, I asked the ultimate silly question, "Why did you come to Sunday school, anyway?", and got the ultimate silly answer, "Because our parents made us!" With that, they left. I went and got a cup to tea and sat down, clutching onto my tea and wonder- ing what in the world I had gotten myself into. I did a lot of thinking about this ordeal in the week that followed. I kept wondering where I could run and hide next Sunday or maybe I could catch the flu. Then I remem- bered that parting comment from the boys about coming to church only because their parents make them. So I started thinking, Why do parents make their kids go to church? We parents would like to believe that our children like going and many actually, do, but what about the ones that don't? I know there are Sundays that the only reason my kids go is because I make them. What makes a parent put up with getting the kids ready, listening to all the moaning and groaning and then trying to make them behave once they get there? For one thing, I like going wilt they don't come with me, I have to either find a babysitter or else we all stay home. I take them for lots of other reasons. I want them to Leel comfortable there and to know I want them to know that no mat- ter what problems they face, there is always Someone willing to listen and to help. Maybe what they learn at church can help prevent them from making poor choices and bad mistakes further down the road. I want them to realize their bless- ings and be thankful. I want them to learn about compassion and how to be happy. Hopefully they will someday want these same things for their children, and will take them to church too. I expect my reasons aren't much, different from any parents'. We can't guarantee the effects church will have on our kids, but we can at least keep trying to give them the chance to benefit from going. After that first Sunday, I thought maybe Someone was trying to tell me to quit trying to be something I'm not. I tried to tell several people that I really didn't think I was cut out to be a teacher. 'I was too easy on them' I was nervous and I'm sure the kids knew that. That's partly why things got out of control. (I know in my account of what happened that it was the boys who acted up, but I also know that girls can be just as resistant and -had -to reach.) 1 was too easy on diem and they walked all over me. So, 1 tried to re-examine this new, role of mine. I decided that if the1 parents are willing to keep bringing a child to Sunday school in the hopes that something will sink in that may someday help that child, then I didn't want to dash those hopes. I wouldn't want anyone to give up on my children that easily and I was thankful that there are people willing to teach. On the following Sunday, 1 'was ready to return -to the front titles and try again. Things went a little better this time. There. were no paper airplanes, only one minor scuffle involving .magic markers, and I think I only had to ask them to quiet about six _times instead of., that they will always J*.weleoman fift e . ,.. lot. any zi vr,rrz My faith:ig'rcty .irnpor lattic'tne , .: .k -. '!!l�'� and I hope they will develop 'a haveflu every. unday tan the strong faith too. We have no idea what crises, tragedies, or decisions lay ahead for our children, and they just might need a strong faith to lean on to carry them through. Someone willing to listen Christmas concert after all. . Editor's Note: Val Thomson is a Granton -area farmer, homemaker, wife, and mother of four children, who enjoys writing in her spare , time. Blue Water Rest Home Residents enjoy enteetainment. ZURICH - Last Monday after- noon the residents of the Blue Wa- ter Rest Home gathered in the audi- tories to watch the movie "White Fang" about a wolf and a young lad. Tuesday evening the residents en- joyed a visit from members of the Christian Reformed Church. Joyce Pepper was guest pianist, in the ab- sence of Stephen Portinga, and sang a duet with Irene Zwart enti- tled "In the Garden." Annie Zand- bergen read the poem "The Praying ds" and Peter Visscher read poems • entitled "Grandmother", "Thankfulness" and "Confidence." The group sang "I Love to Tell the Story", "He Lives", "The Old Rugged Cross", "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" along with many other favourite hymns. The residents al- ways like to hear one song in Dutch, therefore, the group sang "0 Denk Aan Het Huis" by Den Heer for the group. After the entertain- ment, the church members mingled with the residents and enjoyed re- freshments. , Last Wednesday afternoon tea was served by Cathy Shantz, home adjuvant. Thursday afternoon chap- el service was led by Pastor Les Hohner, who is presently assisting Pastor Larry Stojkovic at Zion Lu- theran Church in Dashwood. Fr. Matthias Wronski, St. Boniface Church, Zurich celebrated Mass. Best wishes to Aaron Gingerich who is presently a patient at South CONSIDERING BANKRUPTCY ? Cell For Alternatives Non -Prot it Credit Counselling now available in Huron County 273-1020 family Counselling Huron Hospital. Saturday, the gentlemen are get- ting -their hair groomed for the resi- dent/family dinner on November 28. The residents are thanking Home Auxiliary members Lauren Corri- veau, Marilee Ayotte, Gladys Gingerich, Verda Baechler, Alieda, Rau and Marie Gelinas who are op -'h crating the Home's Tuck Shop from , 1-4:00 pm. each ,,ay Monday to, Saturday. Martha Ducbarme, Cece . lia 60411, Donna Klopp and Ina, Neeb are also filling in when heed; ed. ::... i r6. ANSTETT JEWELLERS LTD. - Specialists since 1950 -- CUNTON • SEAFORTH • EXETER • ST. MARY'S • GODERICH • LONDON UNTIL THE END OF.. 10 kt. Gold 18• Rope Chain.& • $1QQ 95 Matching Bracelet... s '2eb4.95 -14k1.Gold 18" Singapore Chain & Matching Bracelet.. Shop wiser, shop... ANSTETT JEWELLERS this Christmas and adyear longfor'Ionise Value, GuarantedSerice and Guarantee QpaJty.