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Times-Advocate, 1983-08-03, Page 4Times -Advocate, August 3, 1983 Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 dvocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex & North Lambton Since 1873 Published by J.W. Eedy Publications Limited IORNE FFDY Publisher IIM BFCKFTT Adserusing Manager WII BAETEN Editor HARRY DI-VRIES Composition Manager ROSS HAt1GH Assistant Editor DICK IONGKIND Business Manager Published Each Wednesday Morning at Exeter, Ontario Second Class Mail Registration Number 0386. Phone 235-1331 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $21.00 Per year; U.S.A. $56.00 C.W.N.A., O.C.N.A. CLASS 'A' and 'ABC' Needs a catalyst Exeter's second annual Heritage Days met with mixed reactionthisyear, leaving the overall financial results somewhat lacking in view of the amount of work undertaken by the faithful handful who are at- tempting to give this community a summer celebra- tion. There can be no denying the benefits of the fellowship and goodwill generated, but as a generator of some revenue fora coinnlunity project, its success is not what organizers should be able to expect. Part of the problem, no doubt, stems from the fact the project for which the profits will be used is not designated. Obviously, that makes it difficult to generate support and is a matter that should be addressed. - Fund-raising events for specific projects in the community have always met with favorable response but it is difficult to generate enthusiasm for intangibles. The event needs a catalyst if it is to be sustained and to generate even more fellowship and goodwill. Explanation offered About four years ago, the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario issued. an edict to operators of private and public auditoriums and halls that they would move to deny permission for licenced events if those who rented the facilities failed to follow the edict that socials were not to be advertised. Based on that information, most of the individuals and groups operating those halls asked this newspaper ,to help police the situation by not advertising the loca- tion of socials, such as weddings, receptions, anniver- saries, stags, etc. Although the LLBO has no jurisdiction over this newspaper, they can punish those who place adver- tisements contrary to their regulations. On that basis, we did attempt to follow the intent of the regulations and the request from the hall operators and informed those advertising social events (not to be confused with charitable or community benefit events) that the loca- tion should no be included in advertisements. Unfortunately, it has been a matter of some con- sternation for staff members, as they have attempted to explain the situation to customers. Making matters worse, was the fact that many other advertisements appearing in other newspapers were not adhering to the same rules. Trying to explain why an adver- tisement in this newspaper couldn't be the same as the one submitted to another newspaper became an im- possible task. The outcome of the situation is that this newspaper, through support from the South Huron rec centre board of management and the area trouncils, have asked MPP Jack Riddell to attempt to have the current regulations reviewed and brought up to date with the times. Many other aspects of the Act are out -dated and enforced more through "scare tactics" than any other means and obviously some changes are warranted. We trust Jack willhave some success in the mat- ter and in the meantime it is suggested that area residents should follow the regulations to protect themselves and the hall operators. Try this recipe Take a cup of faith and hope and charity to start Season with unselfish ways and cheerfulness of heart Mix with understanding and dash of fun and mirth. Ladle in some tenderness that's warm and down to earth. Good cause One of our Centralia readers penned a letter last week criticizing the periodic delay in copies of this newspaper reaching the Centralia post office. Her frustration is understandable, par- ticularly for those of us who share that frustration. While Centralia subscribers may appear to suffer more than others, the problem occurs in other areas as well. Because humans are involved, some slips have to be expected; and probably there are occasions when members of the mailing crew of this newspaper may be to blame. However, the post office depart- ment is at fault on the majority of occa- sions and one only has to follow the antics currently arising in the London distribu- tion centre to comprehend everyone's frustration with mail delivery. Last week, 25 employees booked off sick part way through a shift. and this was followed by the news that about 16,000 pieces of first-class mail were deliberate- ly mis-sorted on another occasion. This sabotage of the mail apparently stems from yet another labor- management dispute at the processing plant and postal union personnel make no bones about the fact it will probably con- tinue at the inconvenience of the public. Most employers. of course, would find a quick and final remedy for handling employees who didn't want to do the jobs for which they are being paid, but for some strange reason that lack of fortitude appears to be missing in the post office heirarchy. As a result, all those who rely on the postal service continue to suffer the con- sequences, and while our Centralia subscriber may think that's a matter of passing the buck, the evidence clearly suggests that it is appropriate. Don't omit the tolerance, the joy that .haring brings And also the ability to laugh at little things. Bake it in the warmth of love and serve repeatedly, That's all it takes to make a home, A pleasant place to be. for buck passing In sharp contrast to that situation, is the victory celebration staged by the Dashwood Industries last week to mark the sales record achieved in June. That is evidence of what happens when BATT'N AROUND with the editor employees at all levels join in a team ef- fort to reach a goal. While president Michael Shurety is cautiously optimistic about the short and long-range outlook, there was no mistak- ing his bubbling enthusuiasm for the noteworthy accomplishment and the total cooperation and commitment that made it possible. The fact that about 1,000 people attend- ed the party is an indication of the direct benefits the firm brings to this area, and when combined with the spin-off effects on the area economy, it suggests many people savored the results of the signifi- cant event. . . . . It's interesting to note the varied opi- nions being expressed on the latest move to extend Daylight Saving Time. indica- tions are that it will result in some sharp conflict between urban and rural centres, even in this area, where Exeter has en- dorsed the plan and Stephen has rejected it. Some of the arguments on both sides are plausible, although I fail to see how the crime rate is going to be seriously reduced as some proponents suggest. The resolution stemming from Toronto speaks of some reduced exposure to the criminal "powers of darkness". To my knowledge, altering clocks has never had any direct change on the amount of darkness or daylight in any given day in any given month. That's something over which the politicians have yet to exercise any. control, although if it . could be turned into some tax revenue, there is little doubt some would make an attempt. A couple of interesting points arise in the resolution stemming from our city cousins. First, the clerk of the municipali- ty was to direct it to all municipalities having populations of more than 30,000 people. The opinions of those of us out here in the boondocks, it would appear, are not worthy of consideration despite the importance of the issue. Thankfully, someone apparently over -ruled. Equally as enlightening is a suggestion that "surely if Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa go along with the proposition, the small communities will agree." It's bad enough to have someone sug- gest our opinions aren't required, but when it is coupled by a further hint that we'll be happy to follow the lead of them thar city slickers, it could prompt the hay- seeds to dig in their heels and oppose it, no matter how they feel about extending Daylight Saving Time. But it's a safe bet that no one out on the second concession is going to think crime will be drastically curtailed just because the clocks have been changed one way or the other. Funny what the city smog can do to your brain! -, What you after this year, Otis? Duck?... Grouse?.. . Goose? Not there to fish Little old Susannah Moodie, the gentle, iroehearted, misplaced English woman, whose diaries have become the touchstone of Canadian Literature, the archetype of survival in the Cana- dian wilderness. She wrote the title of this piece. She was about as Cana- dian as my great -great - great -grandfather, who was digging peat and potatoes about the time she composed her literary masterpieces. And about as Canadian as Frederick Philip Grove; a Finn, Swede, German - . take your pick - who wrote in- terminable stories about snow, after he moved - or escaped - to Canada. Everyone, except me, begins his/her CanLit course with those two. They're dull, after a taste or : wo. But poor little old Susie's scenario would have crumpled into wept - over. ashes if she'd gone along with me on a recent "roughing it" weekend. True. there was bush. True, there were some weird characters about. True, the :flies and skeeters were hostile. But roughing it? She'd have torn up her manuscripts and got on with making bread or maple syrup or digging a new backhouse, or whatever turned her crank. The roughest part of the trip was fighting the holi- day traffic. The second roughest part was listen- ing to non-stop stories about deer that were shot at 600 yards, bear that were 12 feet tall, and giant fish that required three men and a block and tackle to get them aboard. Yes, I went on fishing weekend, as I threatened in an earlier column. Boys oh boys, it was rough. Drove 60 miles. Frew 20 minutes. Camp had a fridge with ice cubes, hot and cold running water, a propane cook stove, and - you won't believe this - a carpet sweeper, the only concession to the primitive wasan outdoors john, and even this had a Sugar and Spice Dispensed By Smiley touch of the exotic: a wild rose growing between the two seats. Night before I left, one of "the boys" phoned. and told me to bring some heavy line, because the muskies were moving in and gobbling up those five - pound bass. I might as well have taken a piece of cotton thread from my wife's sewing machine. Now, I'm not knocking it. I had a fine weekend. But it's a bit much when you have to keep moving your feet because so- meone wants to clean the carpet under them. And it's entirely' too much when you see guys washing their armpits, at a hunting camp. in hot water. Last time I was at a hunt camp, the only thing we ever washed were our hands. and sometimes our feet, when we fell in the lake. I'd warned my wife that I was going to rough it, and that the food would be camp food, mostly canned stew and stuff. Told her to have something decent, like a pork chop, for when I got home. Expected to eat some fish. - Know what we had for dinner, first night? Young, tender leg of lamb. and not that frozen stuff. With mint sauce naturally. Fresh young carrots and potatoes. Dessert. Wine with dinner. Second night was pretty ordinary. Just two pork chop: each, with apple sauce. and again, fresh vegetables. ..And wine. And it wasn't just thrown on the table. The cooks served you at your place. All you had to do was push your wine glass or coffee cup past a big, hairy arm, and it was fill- ed immediately. Roughing it t Lunches were pretty rudimentary, though, and by the second day I was getting sore that I had to make my own. There was nothing but sardines, tuna, cold lamb, ham, and eight pounds of salad, plus Campbell's soup du jour and fruit salad, with a bit of old cheese to top off. Breakfasts were sparse. however. A mere four cups of coffee, three eggs. half a pound of bacon, and a big portion of fried spuds, plus toast and the best homemade mar- malade in North American. Nobody was able to fish until mid-day. by which time the Kass had also eaten and were sulking in the depths. Certainly didn't get sick of eating fish. Seven of us caught two smallish bass, just before the plane ar- rived rrived to fly us out. I know it sounds like a weekend at a big, rich resort. But it wasn't. The moment I arrived, I began to feel uneasy. And my reeling grew. These other guys weren't there to fish. They were there to work getting the camp ready for the fall hunting season. To the great dismay of myself and another guest, the regulars pulled out paint brushes, lawn mowers and other such horrors of civilization, and went to work. They painted and piled wood and slashed under- brush, and generally did so much' manual labor they'd have all been on strike if asked to do so at home. Theother old fighter pilot and I retreated into the kitchen and did the dishes. My hands are still all shrivell- ed up from doing dishes. Aside from that. I came home in pretty good shape. I thought I'd gain- ed at least eight pounds, but the deer flies and skeeters took care of that. i lost two. My arthritic foot is destroyed for the summer. I've lost the hearing in my right ear from trying to clout a mos- quito with my left hand. while holding a five -gallon can of gas in it, and my fishing tackle in my right hand. But that was nothing. compared to the evening poker games, in which everything is wild except the joker. Haveto tell you more next week about the typical personnel among any group which belongs to a "camp." .Always next year Something that has come about during (he last few years is a new awareness of Canada and what a good country it is to live in. Canadians have always been proud of their country but have not always shown that natural pride. Perhaps it all started back in 1967 with the Centennial celebrations. or maybe it has been an outgrowth of television with the 'specials' that havebeen shown from coast to coast over the CBC showing celebrations going on over the whole country that have made 1i' dies, things that appeal people aware that we do to almost every segment Perspectives By Syd Fletcher have something to make a little commotion about each year. Small towns are making much more of Canada Week with a host of ac - of the population: pancake breakfasts, horse shows, parades, and hot rod shows. The list goes on and on. Each event is not directly related to Canada as such. but is a bringing together of people in the town for a little enjoyment of each other's talents. or a sharing of a common joy -being free and being Canadian- Certainly a worthwhile activity in itself. You have to give a lot of credit to 1ht' hard-working committee members who think enough of their town and community to plan the activities. If you didn't gel out and enjoy some of the events then i feel a little sorry for lyou. You've missed alot. However, There's always next year.