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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1975-08-14, Page 4.11 the O�..o n- Il t `1 men `s bud running. ►t at Par's 1111s'naigeB%m_ ent • in handlingthecountry's .affairs, Oats mads it quite deer that he was. air - bigger sine than his provtnc al peer* ROhert Nixon, Needless. to Say Nixon's Chances fgr winning, the election were the best he ever had with the public's growing disenchantment in the provincial government's scandals and disregard of public opinion. His guns were loaded and the odds were high that he would finally be able to outdraw Davis - and then John Turner's budget carne crashing down. Of the various points outlined in the financial report it was the 10 cent increase on a gallon of gasoline that hit John Q. Public right where it hurts'' - the wallet. People were shocked, people were angered but most of all people were looking for a means of retaliation. Voila! the provincial election. Whether he meant t+ -or not, Turner snuffed out Nixon's guns, and made them as ineffective as a war pistol. Gone are the memories f Davis' .Harbour ate and the shady land deals, and intheir place stands the fresh wound of the federal budget. Turner hasn't even stopped with the first cut; with each ad- ditional increase in 'gas and oil prices he drives the knife in deeper and deeAer -driving the voter mote and more to the Conservative camp for some hope of healing. Nixon is finished and Davis knows it. He now sets his sights on Trudeau and the federal government, and even 'though you wonder how the federal government could ever become enmeshed in a provincial election it's an old politic& ploy that has been tried time and again. and tually ends up true. • Just where the NOP fits into the to i•w'.t Win` Votes - rom 'pae d1st1 sI+ with both end' 'o'g�'i �y, '�essIVe onservative rt paes - whWO seem tq be one and, sa, nei► on top of. 1 votesof the true sialist believers. But the total... PartY Str+th still has a lot of growing to - do before It can be considered eff_ctive. it looks tike the Davis fortress will stand firm after the smoke of the election- has cleared, but one thing becomes more clear with each passim term: what Ontario needs now is new blood and new ideas and maybe it will only get that with a new party. cz. geese... the• welders A new wrinkle on harnessing wildlife hat peen uncovered by Nova Scotia's Department of Agriculture & Marketing, reports John Porteous in The Financial' Post. Geese, it seems, are excellent strawberry weeders - nipping off grass and weeds with impressive efficiency. Moreover, agriculture officials say, the birds work con- tinuously and demand no pay Other than the choice ,weeds they •devour. Already, 165 goslings are at work on three farms in Cumberland County. Farmers there are reported happy with their free employees. Geese also eat the grass next , to plants, which is difficult for humans to remove by hoeing or cultivation - and they do it without damage to plant roots. This is especially ad- vantageous during wet seasons when field conditions prevail that curtail normal cultivation. - Geese also keep ditches and fence rows clean, and add . natural fer- tilizer to growing plants. Two to four geese per acre will do the job in row plantings. Only low fences are needed to restrain them as geese seldom fly. • Unlike human. weeders, geese do not eat the strawberries they're "hired" to protect, nor will' they distlfb crops 'of raspberries, btu of err'ies, or tobacco, The Post reports. Sugar and Spicc/By Bill Smiley A Sunday of Contrast It wasn't quite the ridiculous and the sublime, but near enough. A good, con- trasting picture of Canada on a Sunday in summer. We'd gone back to the village to join Grandad in the celebration of the 100th an- niversary of the little white church _by the bay. Sunday morning, breakfast over, off for a drive with the city -lawyer brother-in-law, while the wives were doing the dishes, Poked around the neighborhood, shaking our heads over the ,property developments, where entrepreneurs were getting- as much for a single lot as their grandfathers had for a 150-acrefarm with house and barn. Commiserated with each other over the fact that we'd both be millionaires if we'd bought some of this shore property 20 years ago, when it was dirt cheap. Conveniently forgot that neither of us had enough money to telly one lot 20' years ago, let alone a mile of shoreline. Driving along the shore road, spotted a lot .nf.actMvtty_...-Naturally. _mimed a...took As one always does in the country. It was a scuba diving expedition, complete with vans, tanks, goggles. snorkels, and man - from -Mars suits. Hung around to watch, and asked some casual questions from one of the "divers". He was so reticent you'd have thought he was just about to climb into a Moon -bound capsule, instead of into about 12 inches of water: He finally admitted grimly that the group had st finished its training, and that this "di " they were about to make was the "real ng -- There were about 20 in the group. We stood around and watchedas they struggled and wiggled and squirmed into their skin-tight suits and heavy tanks, and sprayed their goggles and checked their air -lines and ad- justed their flippers. This was the real thing, no question about it, and the tension .mounted steadily as'they spent half an hour getting fitted out for the dangers of the depths: octopi, sunken wrecks. sharks. There was only one fel ale in the group, an extremely chubby one, and she had so much trouble squeezing into her suit and getting it zipped over the bulges that 1 -was ,nighty glad, 1 wasn't out there, trapped in a wreck, waiting for her to rescue me. Pinally, purple in they face, she was ready. Then their leader appeared. He had been out there, fearlessly probing the possible dangers of the sunken wreck. He stood there, barking orders, making them recheck their gear, dividing them into teams, ensuring that their boot-kl'lives were available for a swift slash of a tangled life- tine. Pirlly the,big dive 'was on. They waded for 10,feet. sine ft was taoshallsew to lie down. Then they flopped and snorkeled out, in about two feet of later, to the wreck, every nerve keyed. every e n to timpani ahed. The assistant instruct*, who watt making the dive, sighed with relief, pulled a beer out of his van, and chatted cheerfully with us. "What do they ' do out there?" he was asked. "Not a helluva lot," he replied. "When you've swum over the thing about three times, that's about it." . We silently concurred. We knew the "sunken wreck" was an old barge, towed there years before to serve as a dock for a boat -owner. Three years ago, when the water was lower, it sat three feet out of the water. The only sunken treasure would have to be the old car motor which anchored it. I "mow that diving must be fun, and is dangerous, but this operation made me giggle. It was like watching a lot of six-year- old boys get fitted out in their space uniforms, do at ritual countdown, and then run around the backyard yelling: "Zoom! Zoom!" Couldn't help pondering on why 20 -odd people would drive a round trip of 300 ,nibs from the city and get dressed in Hallowe'en castmes tq ,paddle around in three feet of water "exploring an aan aTcf`%arge. 4 . Three hours later, we were sitting in the church, for the anniversary service, just 100 yards down the road from the big dive. There was a simple dignity here which underlined the silliness of the other operation. I guess we were as inappropriately dressed for a hot summer day as the divers- shirts and ties and suits and summer dresses: Most of the people were middle-aged to old. with a sprinkling of children. But there was a sense of drawing together,. of closeness, of continuity. Reading the brief history of this little, frame, 100 -year-old building, one was aware, however dimly, of the fierce determination of the tirst families. when they erected it, on a donated lot. at a cost of $506, that their children would be God-fearing. God -loving Christians. And there was a little sadness in the knowledge that the Sunday School had been forced to, close. and that the church is now open only in summer. and that many of the children, and the children's children and so on, are neither God-fearing nor God -loving. And there was some pride when Grandad, sitting next to me, was singled out as having . been associated with that church for 75 years. But the children and the children's children had rallied around for the occasion. And after the service, there was the get-together in the community hall for the coffiee and sand- wiches, and the hundreds of handshakes, and the sometimes desperate trying to put together of names and fates not seen for years, and the presentation of grandchildren, and the hard realization that everyone is growing olds!'. The new and the old. The silliness and the simplicity. The plump young city .,nen struggling into their skin -suits. and 'the weather-beaten farmers in their strangling colli and ties. A summer Sunday in Canada. ME THAT MIS WitatiZIE Kit% AC.Tiarl BEtWIN it The Jack Scott Coiumn Portable Pit I am in the habit of dropping in to H.K.'s place unannounced for dinner`or to spend the odd weekend and H.K. has often said: "Don't feel that you need an invitation to come. You haven't got one anyway." Well, we've laughed -about it, eyeing each other pretty closely, and that's the way it's been. So you can imagine my gurprise when he phoned me up the other afternoon and issued a more or less formal invitation to dinner. Naturally, I was instantly on my guard. "What sort of a dinner?" I enquired. "Are you testing some radioactive tuna?" "It is mildly experimental," H.K. confessed, "since I am doing the cooking myself." "Ordinarily I'd be crazy to come," I lied, "and just as soon as the cast is oftrityTeg I hope that..." "It's a barbecue!" H.K. cried. "Nothing can go wrong! I want you to be the first to try my charcoal -broiled steaks." "Why me?" "Everybody else is busy," H.K. admitted. "Well,': I said. "Live dan8erously. That's my motto. 1 will be over." A table had been set up on the lawn. H.K.'s wife was sitting dejectedly at it trying to hold down the picnic paper napkins which were taking off in the freshening breeze. It was clouding over and threatening rain which was also the forecast in her face. "Men," said H.K.'s wife: At that moment H.K. came around the corner of the house. At first I did not recognize him. I thought it was a stout nurse wheeling a very complicated baby buggy. Then I perceived that he was. wearing, a large white apron which extended from his chin to his knees. On it was printed, in multi -colored letters, the.stirring legend, "Mama's Little Helper." "Oh, no," I said. The baby buggy was a portable barbecue arrangement with shelves and a large bowl covered by a grille over which, I presumed, the viands were to be incinerated. He wheeled the contraption• about the lawn, holding up a wettened finger to determine the wind. "Great advantage over the stationary barbecue pit," he said judicially, quite an announcement from a man who has trouble lighting a gas stove. Having selected the proper spot he disappeared and returned with a slab of steak that must have set him back a week's wages, a sack of charcoal and a single white glove. "Mais Goui," he cried. "Now for zee—how you call eet? —zee grand experiment! Mora!" "Men," said H.K.'s wife. I noticed that as H.K. filled the bowl with bits of newspaper and placed the charcoal over it his right hand became blackened. The glove on the left hand was immaculate. "Why the glove on the left hand?" I asked. "It came with the equipment." H.K. said. "1 think I must have got one for left-handed men." He wa nOw bent low:bvver the fire -bowl, blowing on it_ White flakes of burned newspaper floated down on the lawn. . "Jingle bells, jingle bells," H.K.'s wife sang. The charcoal began to glow faintly in one corner. The steak over that corner was soon well done. The remainder was raw and matched almost exactly the color of H.K.'s face due to the exertion of his blowing on the embers. "Cut me off a piece of the nose," his wife said and, turning to me, I,'Come," she said. "We'll get jnto the Martinis," I remember that, hours later, just before the oblivion, I looked down on the lawn and saw him crouched there in the twilight, the paper napkins flying about him. the steak engulfed' inflames lighting up the words, "Mama's Little Helper." "Valiant chap," I said and I was gone. From our eariy files 0 0 0 a a is YEARS AGO Aug. 12; 1955 Clinton Town Council gave two readings to a bylaw, at Monday night's council meeting to make financial arrangements and temporary borrowing to meet the cost of a community arena to be built in Community Park. The cost is estimated at 5167.940. Plans are now in full swing for the second Clinton Hobby and Craft Exhibition -to be held September 24 and 25 and spon- sbren-bylhe... Starlight --Un rt --of the UCW at the Wesley -Willis United Church. The exhibition started out in a small way last year spurred on by Mrs. Milford Durst. who will convene the show again this year. • Since last week's issue -of the News -Record came out. a' few citizens have contributed to the Clinton and District Cenotaph Committee fund. The issue carried two letters to the editor urging area persons to step up their donations. A canvass in June brought in less than 5700. The proposed cenotaph. to be erected in Library Park. will cost 54.253 plus the cast of installing a base. landscaping and lighting, etc. At noon. Wednesday, August 11 a total of 5823.35 had been contributed tothe fund. A favourite feature of the Clinton News -Record. the Bir- thday Club, is revived this week after an absence of close to two years. The -popularity of the spot was maintained through the co- operation of readers who were kind enough to inform the News- Redord office in advance of the celebrant's birthday so friends and neighbours could extend congratulations on the ce ect day. This week two membe will be Celebrating their 90th birthday'; Mrs. Elizabeth Douglas. Brueefield, on Monday August 16 and Mrs. Jean McKinley. Bayfield, on Moattday August 23 25 YEARS AGO Aug. 10. 1950 The Clinton Old Boys Reunion tor 1950, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of Clinton as a town. passed into history in the. early hours of today. For the past five days and night—and even longer. the old town has been a beehive of preparatinwand.attivity for what actually has proved• to be one of the greatest events in the long,life of the district. '.Thousands have passed through these portals, and the general accord is that the Old Boys Reunion. or Old Horne Week, or whatever one would like to call it, turned opt a tremendous success. E.W. Morrison wore a costume 100 years old when by appeared as a female impersonator on a float in the Clinton Old Boys. Reunion parade Monday mor- ning. August 7. The hand-knit stockings were made by his grandmother and the petticoats and dress have been in the possession of his family since 1650. Milton D. Morre. Toronto. spent the weekend and holiday with his brother. William ,Morre, Constance. Wedding bells will soon be ringing. William Morre is putting new side shingles on his house, and paint; Miss Mary Snell. Hamilton. is visiting her niece. •Mrs. Alvin Betties. Mrs. Ted Vroliman. and daughter Patsy. Vancouver Island. B.C.. are visiting her THE GU-UNiON NEW R Estalilishi tl 1865 parents. Mr. and Mrs. James Livermore. 50 YEARS AGO Aug.13, 1925 Mr. J. A. Yuill of Wymossing. N. Y., who left here forty years ago. was an interested visitor brother, Bill Stirling, Goderich Township. Rev. H. R. Tompson, Mrs. Thompson and 6farnily are holidaying at the old home. 16th concession with his mother and brother and rlrife. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Middleton and family and Mrs. McKay, St. Marys. spent Sunday with the former's parents. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Middleton. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Hill. Toronto. spent the weekend with the latter's sons, Ross and Norman Fitzsimons and with other -relatives in Clinton. E. S. Livermore. WC., and Mrs. Livermore, Condon. were weekend guests of the former's during Old Homo Week. Mr. Will says he•was lonely at first. as there were sci few he knew. Some Ciintoriians tnay remember Mr. Yuill's bookstore, which was near where O'Neill's Grocery Store is now situated. He left town on ' Friday but • intends Amalgamated 1924.. returning later for a visit. 1Lfr. Cree Cook reports that on his way in ` from Hayfield on Wednesday morning he surprised a deer, three parte grown, standing on the road about 100 yards ahead of the car it was not the least bit frightened and remained there until the car was within 25 yards when it jumped the fence into Mr. Lou Thomp- son's property. A deer at large is indeed. a rare occurence in this part of the country. Mr. Jas. Pickett. of Brawley, Cal. who has been visiting far" the past two weeks at the home Mrs,. Margaret Pickett, leaves today to visit with friends in Park Hill and Detroit, before returning to his home. It is thirty-four years since Mr. Pickett left Clinton. He came to be present at the Old Boys Reunion. Mr. and Mrs. William Henry returned on Friday from couple of months visit at Winnipeg, Man.. and Portland. Oregon. Dr. Jahn A. and Mrs. McLeod left Saturday far their homes in' Brooklyn, New York. after visiting the formers sister. Mrs. Robt. Pearson. also Dr. Gunn and Dr. Shaw of town. Mr. George A. Rorke of Rorketon, Man.. formerly of TH HURON NEWS -RECORD ?stuhlisfied 1881• R Mrs. Josephatinth,Y, Clinton, Ontario. Clear Joe, 'rhe R-C.A,F, C, 11� . R unions has come and grste, bttt wiU 'be well rememberred for e long time by those who were here and took part. What may never be realized or appreciated is the work and organization that went in . making Reunion th' success thatthe it was. 1 would like to express my appreciation and if 1 am remiss, the appreciation of all my., service colleagues, for e' ' generous donation of y personal time and effort. Thank you very much. Sincerely, R. Gibb, C.D. (F -L RCAF Reti Veterans Reunion Dear Editor: We still haven't located all aur C.W.A.C. friends of those grea ;t service days of World War 11 and since the news media has helped a great deal in other yeas, once again we call Canadian Women's Army Corps Veterans to the annual. reunion through the medium of,p this release, The event is sponsored by the Canadian Corps Association, SW'.A C. Unit No. 47 ian the last weekend in September, 1975, in Toronto. This is the 34th an- niversary for our Canadian Women's Army. Corps -1941- 1975. The weekend starts ' on Friday at 7 p.m.. September 2d, with photo viewing, a wreath-' laying ceremony, social time and dancing. Saturday, from noon until closing, September. 27, there will be a reunion luncheon, a buffet dinner, and more dancing. For a complete reunion brochure. phone 652-0192, fa"52- 0164 or 488-4027, or write: Mrs. Shirley Wood Heesake, C.W A .C. Veterans Reuni Chairman, 201 Niagara Street, TorontoM5V 1C9 1d trlssellr osnl reedits oceraged to express asides' fie letters to n srsisr. suds easeessadty- reams: el 11* Pseudonyms may !e Met ault.ri, fret es be pubbehed odour r lidded by phone. their 1* rds NW et the. dip` "Mime wed it ass Clinton was theguest of Mr. H. E. Rorke during the Reunion. He came from' the West by motor. accom anted by hts son. Baroid_ and family. Mrs. Dave Armstrong. ac; companied by her daughter, Miss Mable, who have been spending the past weeks with Mrs. Arm- strong's sister. Mrs. -Robt Armstrong and ,other reia.tivm. left yesterday ffir their home in Pilot Mound, Manitoba. .. .75 YEARS AGO • .Au fv-i Tbos. Gemmill, concession 4, who has been very ill with bloocl- poisoning. is now recovering. and it is thought that the danger is passed.. Fall ,cheat is ,yielding from 25 to 35 bushels per acre. and other crops will yield fairly well. considering the drought. Rev. Mr. Stewart. Clinton, is spending his vacation in. • Bayfield. A letter was received, from Messrs. Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald. London, solicitors for Mr. Graham. granolithic walk con- tractor. threatening that unless the town lived up to its agreement with the contractor.' in furnishing- gravel urnishinggravel and paying for work done, i';"''would be necessary to take legal proceeding. The Mayor "5,. stated ..that he keels no reason ' why the contractor should not go , on, with the work done having been paid whenever presented ' t• and the Council always ready to do so again. No fault whatever rested with the Council for the stoppage of the work. Owing to the illness of the _teacher, Mr. Trewartha. before the regular - holidays and his being laid off at that time. school will start next Monday, which it one week earlier than AV prescribed time. The teacher is not ectsnpelled to do this. but does it of his own accord. • Jas. SneIi the -well-known stock- breeder of Hityen-Barton farm. has been asked to judge homes and sheep at the New York State Pair, to be field at Hornellsvlile. in that state. some time this Month. He is also one of the .. judges at the Toronto Industrial a:ir.