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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-01-12, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, January 12, 1994 WTH! NF. Regional wrap r Child molester jailed. GODERICH A 26 -year-old Clinton man was sentenced last Tuesday to four m—Olths in jail for molesting two children whiie they slept in their beds. Kevin Armstrong pleaded guilty to the assaults just before Christmas. The victims, a boy and a girl were both under the age of 13, it was reported in the Goderich Signal -Star, "This thing must stop," Mr. Justice James. Donnelly said; as he sentenced Armstrong. He was placed on probation for three years after his release. OPP takeover Monday ST. MARYS An era in the town's history ended Monday, and -another began as the St. Marys Police Departmet]t\ was disbanded and replaced by the St. Marys OPP. Staff Sergeant Robert Jackson will head up the new force in St. Marys, under the leadership of Sebringville Detachment Com- mander Al Quinn, it was report- ed in the Journal Argus. Garbage bag scheme unglued GODERICH - The town may be stuck on garbage bag stickers - but the stickers aren't sticking to the bags. "In all my years on council I've never heard so many unfa- vourable comments," said reeve John Doherty at an environment and works meeting last Tuesday. Apparently a number of stick- ers applied to cold, plastic gar- bage bags came loose or were blowq off by the wind. The town hasadvised resi- dents that stickers should be ap- plied to warm, empty bags in- doors; once they stick to the plastic they are not likely to come off when the bag is placed outside, it was reported in the Goderich Signal -Star. Town administrator Larry McCabe told the environment and works meeting, that in the' three weeks since the tickets have been on sale, there have been only three complaints. Villages discuss sewer plant BRUSSELS - Brussels village councillors were meeting with their counterparts from Blyth last Tuesday to discuss propo- sals for the expansion of the sewage facilities of the two mu- nicipalities, but councillors made -it obvious last Monday they aren't enthusiastic about the idea. The two municipalities have been involved in a study of the expansion of their respective sewage treatment plants to allow more storage of sludge, the solid wastes left after water has been treated and discharged. But councillors in Brussels feel the proposal is unnecessary, it was' reported in the North Hu- ron Citizen. "We think what we have right now is suitable," said councillor Dave Hastings. Currently Brussels and Blyth have an agreement with a Moms Township farmer to store sludge in an old liquid manure tank un- til it can be safely spread on farm fields. Reeve Gordon Workman said the Ministry of Energy and En- vironment is unlikely to go along with such an arrangement over the long term. EXETER - The word bingo con- jures up many images. Some view it as a fun way to pass a few hours.,Others see it as a type_ of sport requiring endurance, aler- ness and complete concentration. The game certainly has the com- petitive edge. Just watching some- one on the verge of a win sets your heart racing as you anticipate the next call. The game has certainly changed. The rules are the same, but the players are different, one could even say the players are more pro= fessional. Those who see it as a game , played by older women in a church basement, well they haven't been to a bingo game recently. .In -fact, Ontario was labelled the Bingo capital of North America in February 1993 according to the consumer and commercial relations ministry, It is estimated that Ontarians bet more than $1.5 billion on bingo eveary year. There are euen bingo tours to the United States. Obviously people aren't just play- ing for little 'prizes such as toasters. Today theorizes include cash. And it's not just women playing. Many are quite serious about the game and would come out in the worst weather conditions to play. That was the case Thursday at the Exeter Legion as the faithful braved the stormy weather to enjoy a night of bin°` "The tutif6ut was definitely af- fected by the weather, said Esther Hillman, who is bingo chairman for the Legion Auxiliary and caller for the evening. She said on an average night more than 150 people are vying for the $2,000 in prizes. And if you're not a seasoned pro at the game, it can be a little con- fusing, as you try to figure out if you need a straight line to win or a pattern or if you need to fill an en- tire card. Of course the game also requires a little luck too. As people arrive there is a ritual to setting up before playing. Many have lucky seats, charms, pictures, stuffed animals, ashtrays and col- oured dabbers that are required for a successful evening. The most p odor of the lucky charms seems to be the tiny, wild- - more than haired troll doll. Once the players are set up, the game begins. In a night, said Hillman, there are usually 15 games over the course of. three and a half hours. And if you're lucky, you will have the opportunity to shout 'bin- go' at least once during the evening. If that's the case, the card is verified by one of the checkers and a prize is awarded. "The money stays within the aux- iliary," said Hillman. "AU the prof- its go back into the connuhity." So if you feel bingo may he your calling or you just feel lucky, there are many organizations throughout the county that hold bingo nights. By Catherine O'Brien and Adrian Harte i Mary 1Vlontelth was the winner of a cash prize in one of Thursday's many games. Roy Hunter confirms her numbers before paying up $30. . Carl Thurston checks over his cards and marks them ly. Not only an experienced player, but a lucky one, twice Thursday before intermission. careful- he..won 2345611910111211141 16 17 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26x1 3 2i 3 3' 32 33 34 35 36 ,7 38 3I 41 Al 42 41 44 i5 a , 41 48 49'.1 5152954555i51Stii 61 :'2 63 64 65 66 61 68 69161112 13 14 i\ Good luck charms are an essential part of bingo. Lucky coun- ters, coins, stuffed animals, plastic elephants, and even troll dolls like this one are a valuable part of the bingo experience for many players. Esther Hillman (left) calls the bingo games, aided by the electronic board that not only lists the numbers, but displays the game pattern and the number of calls made. Correction: page numbers outdated Readers of last week's Times - Advocate may have been a little puzzled by the dates on the pages of the issue. While the front page correctly displayed the date of January 5, 1994 the inside pages still showed last week's date of December 29, 1993. No one noticed the computer file on the page numbers and dates had not correctly updated until the paper had already been printed. The Times Advocate regrets this error and any confusion or incon- venience this may have caused. Even In the peak of Thursday's blustery cold winter weather, scores of people braved the cold and missed Seinfeld on tele- vision to attend the Exeter Legion Auxiliary's bingo. ti