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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1976-04-22, Page 4rrn r:. 5.:, xxr.�n,ov a rayu lus it 11. r�vT,v:r :z4F n ry ri5. Pp.hlishers of weekly ,cearnlnu.nity newspapers acts the, province were •very inter ted When they .came tip a recent std in the claiii* C teiined Ottawa and oreditedto nadian-Press Wire service, the story carried an In- tervtiew With tate nutty -elected pr"es.ddent of the Ontario ' Weekly iewpaper Association, Gerry Barker of Bradford. The story opened with the words, "Weekly newspapers, changing with the tiffles, are growing at twice the rate of dailies in Ontario. • in the last ten years readership of Ontario's 300 dailies has increased 240 per cent." The reporter, the typist and the proofreader who handled that story sure fixed us but good. it wasn't the dailies that grew by 240 per cent, it was the weeklies -- and the whole point of the story was lost in that one little error. However, the balance of the news release did carry some interesting information about comfit! nity newspapers, "Weekly Iournaalis, 't the old-fashioned, buck arm green , eyeshade sort of thing anymore," said Barker. "Com- puteriied. systems are replacing. . pastepots and growing revenues permit' .publishers to hire better educated staff to produce a more sophisticated -product." in a recent survey, conducted by Clyde McDonald inc.. an in- ternationaliy known and totally in- dependent public analysis firm, it was learned that in the counties 'of Huron and Perth more than per cent of homes receive a local community newspaper, compared with—slightly sfightly over 50 per cent for the '4ailies, a concentration of audience which is simply not matched'' by any other medium. Most of the remaining 12 per cent are quite probably borrowing the local paper from their neighbors. —Wingham Advance -Times Waste, waste, waste Canada and the United States are the highest users of energy in the world, consuming between the two some 43 percent of the energy supplies of this planet. In our homes, businesses, governments and industries more than half that amount ends up in waste. in our haste to develop non- renewable energy resources to meet the insatiable demands of our affluent life styles we, as a nation, seem un- willing to take the time needed to plan our resource development carefully, rather we deal only in crisis situations, says the United Church. The result is dangerous depletion of energy supplies, pollution of air, water and land and, above all' incredible waste. Vet, in the midst of this waste, there are many other countries. especially among the newer nations, that are uftering acute shortages of energy 5 needed just for basic survival When agedy, either natural or 'man-made, ikes one of these countries we take liiative measures by pouring in do ars when some long-term in- ter ational planning and restructuring of e present economic order might • Sugar and Spice It's a rip --off Have you had the feeling in the last couple of years that everybody and his brother, and sister, is trying to rip you off? I have. And I don't like it. Perhaps it's because of inflation, but I don't recall any period in my life in this country in which so many people were pursuing the buck so avidly, with an almost complete disregard for what they produce in return for that buck. Result is a steady deterioration in ser- vice, courtesy and integrity in the business world. Perhaps it'sjust a reflection, but the same disintegration seems to be taking place in the social world. Insolence and indifference are becoming the trademarks of the business world. Bad manners and worse language have become almost obligatory in the social world. I haven't the space to deal with both aspects in one column, so I'll just catalogue a few typical examples of the kind of rip-off and shabby treatment that are merely the tip of the iceberg. My wife ordered two pairs of infant pyjamas from one of our huge, national department stores. The catalogue priced them at $2.25 a pair-. Now the catalogue did state that prices quoted were only guaranteed until a certain date. The parcel arrived a few days after that date. The goods were satisfactory. Each pair was encased in the manufacturer's plastic package, clearly labeled $2.25. But the bill from the department store was for $2.50 a pair. These *had obviously been bought to sell at a good profit for $2.25. Probably 100 percent mark-up. Suddenly they cost $2.50. Chicke'nfeed, you say? More like chicanery, if you add up all those quarters on a national basis and multiply it by all the other items boosted in price for no reason at all except that,the department store can probably get away with it. My wife ordered a caftan from some outfit, which advertised satisfaction guaranteed or your money refunded. She ordered one down to .her calves and • received one down to her navel. She sent it back and asked for her money back. Two weeks later, a form letter said the company would be happy to fillher order for the right size. Sometime. Only $14, but they hove the money and she doesn't have the•dress, and I know what the outcome Will be. They will stiff -arm her with form letters, in response to her an • passionate, nate, or pleading inquiries, until.she.gives up. Some well remedy the situation. And waste does not end with our natural resources in this hemisphere. There is the waste of human resour- ces:- Natives caught in the web of welfare and alcoholism; the expertise and experience of older people carelessly cast aside; large numbers of chronically unemployed in depressed areas; creative and sen- sitive young people lost in a sub- culture. ubculture. - We believe that the waste of our natural and human resources is due in large measure to crisis -oriented, shortsighted planning on the part of governments and private institutions. There is a real need to bring pressure on decision -makers to design educationai'programs and find ways -to examine personal life-styles, to change harmful patterns of waste and to see that there is reflective, long-term planning rather than band-aid, remedial action. We need to examine carefully this global village we live in to try and build . a society based on justice rather than greed, and human development, rather than waste. By Bill Smiley day, the shoddy thing will arrive, designed for a lady midget or a professional basket- ball player. Went to the city for winter break. Stayed at a hotel we'd frequented for years,,Didn't bother to get a reservation, 'afterVreading articles about city hotels operating at a little over 50 percent capacity. "What? You want a room without a reservation?" "Yes". "Well! How do you intend to pay?" Getting a little browned off, I ticked the item marked "by cheque." That's how I've paid for years. "Oh. we don't accept cheques!" "Well, what the hell's it on the registration card for?" "Oh, we have a new policy. That'll be cash. In advance." By now, steam was coming out my ears. Here I was, an oh! ,:ustomer. Obviously not a dead -beat. The hotel was about one-third full. If I'd been alone, I'd have told them what to do with the entire operation, , sideways. But my wife was sitting there on the luggage. I paid, muttering. Plus $2 key deposit. another item in the new policy. Went to our room, ordered some ice. I went out for a paper. My wife signed for the ice, standard procedure. A few moments after I got back, a flustered waiter was at the door, waving a bill. I was an "Advance" and had to pay cash. The sum was $1. He was embarrassed, I was furious. Things weren't good: Tfre- room was -- rather shabby. Breakfast arrived, borne by a surly waiter, half an hour late. The .handle on the coffee pot was broken, the wheat cakes were cold. Nothing improved. To top the whole performance, they tried to over -charge me when I checked out. It was only $1,15, but by this time I'd have , taken it to the Supreme Court. I hollered, and I got my pittance. It's no wonder city hotels are less than half filled. I know what you're saying. "Smiley had his dignity hurt, because he was treated like a transient." Not at all. My dignity, what's left of it, can't be hurt by suth trivia. There's nothing wrong with cash on the barrel -head. But there is something wrong when customers are treated with insolence, indifference and bad manners. And ripped off into the bargain, unless .they fight like tigers. 41. "We've just become part the nouveafi poor." Odds `n' ends — by Elaine Townshend Five adults, 65 kids in one theatre Never go to an early movie on a Friday night. My sister and I took her daughter a few weeks ago. - Although the movie wasn't intended just for kids, they packed the place, anyway. I think half the town's population was under 14 years of age, and most of them were crammed into the little theatre. My sister and I counted three adults besides ourselves. They probably felt as ancient as we did. Can you imagine watching a movie with sixty-five pop corn chewing, pop can rattling, bickering kids? I don't quite understand why they paid $1.50 to get in, because they sure didn't corse to see the show. Instead they gossiped and argued, sometimes conversing over two -or more rows of seats. An almost steady stream of traffic in the aisles proved the candy and pop booth did a lot Of business. Fortunately, we chose seats in the centre and no one had to crawl over us to reach the aisles. Chatter and -passing feet weren't the only noises, though. We discovered Coke cups make a delightful pop if squashed properly with the foot. These young movie-goers bad the trick almost down pat. The movie's serious scenes were livened with loud pops, and the jokes were punctuated in the same way. Occasionally, however, the pops occurred prematurely and obliterated the punch line. Someone behind us brought pop cans. As each can was emptied, it was roiled under the seats toward the front. When its momentumslowed, a foot nudged it on its rattling way again. The chocolate bar wrappers and pop corn cartons were also trod underfoot along with dozens of straws and some pieces of pop corn. The janitor certainly earned his money that night. Another busy man was the usher, who made several trips down the aisles ordering feet off the backs of the seats. To be appropriate, "The End" should have been changed to "Now Run". Its appearance on the screen signalled a stampede for the doors. Meanwhile, we waited in our seats where we felt safe. When we straggled out, a crowd of mostly adults was waiting for the second show. They were lined up to the corner. Instead of following the sidewalk around the cor- ner, the line continued into the middle of the street - a strange arrangement, especially from a group of mature adults. They suffered through a long, cold waft, but at least they heard the movie when they got in. We left feeling we had missed some important parts. The show was a comedy, I think; at least it brought a few waves of laughter from the young crowd. I may see it again, but I certainly won't go to an early show on a Friday night. Before I'm labelled a patronizing adult, I must mention the little girl in front of us who 'hushed her companions several times. She cautioned them that the people behind couldn't hear, but they paid little attention. Many of the kids probably behaved themselves; unfortunately, they were overshadowed by the ones who didn't. The reason my sister and I were shocked, I suppose, was that in our day the children were shy, quiet and well- mannered. She and I were always such good kids - well, almost always. Would you believe 75 percent of the time? How about 50 percent? Twenty-five percent? From our early files iSyearsago April 28..1'1 Dr. Graham Bowker, DDS, began his dental practice on the former clinic building at 42 Rattenbury Street. West, Clinton. on Monday. He graduated last month from the university of Toronto. Announcement was made on Tuesday in the House of Commons in Ottawa, that Stephen Truscott's case will be referred to the SumeCourt of Canada. Since Steven's conviction at Goderich in 19 a change has been made, and the Supreme Court' is now permitted to hear new evidence in appeals. At the time of his trial, the court could rule only on question of law. It was. the Supreme Court of Canada that early in 1960 refused leave to appeal, when a request was made for that privilege. The Clinton and District Community Centre Centennial Fund is steadily growing with cheques from the local Bell Telephone Bowling League, Kinsmen Club, and the original new arena in- vestigating committee . The plan is to raise $100.000. A 3,000 foot sod landing field is included iq the lay -out for the International Plowing Match in McKillop Township in October. Douglas Miles, agricultural representative for the county said. "this is one plowing match where the exhibits will not be crowded." Ernest Vanderburgh and Mrs. Isabella McCarthy were married secretly last 'week and say they do not plan to tell anyone where or when. On March 3. a two-line personal advertisement appeared in the classified sections of the Clinton News -Record and the Goderich Signal Star. In . these, Mr. 11 !anderburgh asked for a wife and companion. He did not give his name. He received a total of 112 tetters. Mrs. McCarthy, mother of six and a Toronto widow, came to visit once, and since then they have tacked by telephone each day. When she wrote she knew only his first name and so she addressed her letter to "Mr. Ernie. Clinton " 25 Years Ago April 21,1951 The Bluewater Highway, between Goderich and Bayfield, is to be paved with blacktop in the near future, . according to a statement issued to the News -Record by Thomas Pryde. MLA for Huron. Construction of a wading pool in the children's section of Clinton Community Park will be commenced this year, it was decided at a Meeting of the Clinton Community Athletic Field Board in -Town Council Chambers Tuesday' even ing. W. G: Thompson has announced that his new $150.000 mill• has been _ .started., _ The cellar has been dug Out and workmen were starting 'ihe.cejrnentblock work last week. . s� Continued backward weather is holding up spring seeding operations. The land is still pretty wet. Mr. and Mrs. R. 5. Macaulay and three children spent the weekend in Detroit, Michigan, with relatives. Mr. and,.Mrs. W.C. Newcombe and Mrs. Merle Palmer. Clinton, attended the Rexail convention in London Monday &lad Tuesday. - George Beattie. Benson Sutter and Barrett "faylOr attended the district meeting of the Huron .District LOOF in Seaforth last night, at.which time Mr. Taylor was named DDGM for the Insuing term. T.C. Lloyd Westlake and Mrs. Westlake. who spent a three week vacation with the latteis mother. Mrs. Malcom Toms, returned to Mount Forest on Saturday. S1 as Agri April Ye29r, 1929 Rev. Lawrence C. Harrison of Windsor has been appointed_ in charge of the Parish of Clinton by Rt:. David Williams. Bishop of Huron. He will take charge of his new parish shortly after the annual synod being held here, commencing May lOth. the Huron Milk Prodidcts Ltd.. has purchased from Mr. S.S. Cooper. the old Molson`s Bank Building. Rattenbury St., the slittling fOrmeriy occupied by the Clinton Club and the Jackson Manufacturing Co:, the engineers Messrs. M. IL -Canter, Chicago, go, and W.A. Druintwrto id's, Toronto, having decided that it was trot Matt suitable for the purposes of the company. DottetY Flaws sh101,ed a car -'toad of pianos to South Afrl ft O o o rw * a recently. The car left hereat five o'clock Tuesday. At a meeting of the congregation of Wesley. Willis United Church, it was decided that the congregation would continue worshipping in the former Wesley Church. would use the Presbyterian Book of Praise, and that Rev. J. E. Hogg remain as Pastor. The Junior League of Wesley Church and the Mission Band of Willis Church have amalgamated into one organization. . Crich has purchased from Mrs. L.E. Doherty the house on Victoria St.; belonging to her mother, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Andrew are occupying the cottage next to Ontario St. Church, recently vacatedby Miss Jennie and John Ford. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Slorman and babe, Latchford are visiting in town. 75 Years Ago April 21.1901' It is now admitted that February last was one of the worst months for deaths from pneumonia and other lung troubles in the history of Ontario. The records just issued by the Board of Health proves how abnormal was the death rate. The total recorded deaths were 2,485. as against 1.962 in 1900, and this notwithstanding the fact that only 60 per cent of the population was reported on this year as compared with 97 in 1900. The deaths from consumption were 238 as against 186 in February 1900. On March 25 there were 124 sma pox cases in Ontario -a big decease over February. The annual exodus of settlers for the Northwest has begun. On the 9th inst..,about 200 people went from Waterloo county with over 20 car loads of effects ; the majority of them were for Alberta. There have been a great many from around these parts who have gone to locate in the Northern Territories or British Columbia. The census enumerators for the town have completed their work and returned their lists Jo J.L. Grant. the commissioner, who was here last week? He reports the work went smoothly, no trouble having beeti experienced by any of them. The book have been. on the whole, done by competent 'men and the lists are clean and neat. Saturday being a disagreeable day. very, few farmers were in town and business was quieter than usual. However. produce throughout the week has been in good supply with equal demand. Cantelon Bros. made their usual shipment for the east trade. The local prices are: butter from 13 cents to 14 cents; eggs from 9 cents to i0 cents; apples are becoming scarce and high-priced, going at from $t in SL S per bag:Ttitaple syrup $1 to 51.25 per gallon. vegetables are in demand anct Itrimstr ru,i&hyjke gardeners. Interests Dear Editor: I am enclosing a cheque ter: keep my News -Record coming for another year. Whilethere are many' strange names in the paper, 1 still find much that iattterests me, being an old Clinton girl. Sincerely, (Mrs.) Elsie Harbert Victoria. B.C. Information Dear Editor: I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps and a Doctor of „Education teaching Human Behavior for the University of Virginia,. ' I am seeking informat';fit, concerning the 1966 app ` 1' and current status of Steven Truscott. Please send me any in- formation that you have, or inform me of the addresses of Doris Truscott or Isabel Le Bourdais, author of the "Trial of Steven Truscott." Sincerely, E.S. Lawbaugh (Lt. Col,) Quarters 345, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia 22134. (Editor's note: Maybe one of our readers could help.) Animals Dear Editor: There is no doubt that the letter in today's paper (April I5) from Miss Barbara Graham expresses the thoughts of the Clinton hockey fans who witnessed the playoff game in Essex. However,, I feel I must take some exception to Bryan Marriage's write-up of the game in which he likens the Essex players to animals. In so doing, he maligns many animals, some of which have better traits than many people. Animals love their young' and tend them. . they do NOT kill for sport (so- called), but from hunger. and kindly treated creatures return affection and' are loyal to the people concerned with them. Being fond of animals, I must defend them when I can. Thank you, Audrey Graham, Bayfield. Bunnies Dear Editor: In the obviously con- tributed editorial of Thur- sday, April 8, there appears the statement: "Behind the lilies and the bunnies and the eggs there lies a thought about Easter that transcends even the orthodox teachings of the Christian church. . . says the United Church." Have you ever wondered what that "thought" might be? These brief quotations could supply considerable' food for thought: The Encyclopedia Britannica, (Vol. VIII,p.828) : "There is no indication of the observance of the Easter Festival-- in the New Testament, or in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers." The Catholic Encyclopedia (New York 1909 Vol. V.p227) : "A great many pagan customs ce!ebrating the return of spring gravitated to Easter. The egg is the em- blem of the germinating life of early spring... The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of ---continued-en-page-6-1 t' lumber. Ontario Weekly xeaspaper Aviedatitin The Conten liens-ttecard is published each Thursday at P.O. Bei M. Clinton. Ontario. Canada. NMI il... II is registered as second class mail by the post office ender the perta'h number Mi7. The Neimltecerd Incorporated la gaze the dtirim Netits=tterard. tauaded in atilt. and alto eti tea New para. toyed its saes. Total haat. r'rrrnm toy Newspaper 1. 1 11ey g rates 11,11111•1140 *1 r 1. A*1t tit tO(4x04. teilittlite bd.s. .,. Editor • James B. Fitzgerald i dilettiSir -di ;ter - Garr' 1.Haist General Mans + J. Howard Aitken NewS suit - bey Clerk Sabscription Rates: Canada , 911 par year U.S.A. - $12 Single copy - .2Se