HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1976-10-07, Page 19aft -created things.
nit red tomafOetif fat.
apples, wit sheaved
you fiffr
f ;Outset maybe your church never
did go in for bicycle and ask.lam, on
Thankagiing Sunday or Harvest
Horne. Some did says theUnited
hunch. Just a few years ago, the u, p-
w#th*the*times Sunday congregations
were thanking God for all sorts of man -
trade gadgets which enrich our lives.
And we do know that the factory
workers toil as hard and skilfully as
the farmer to' produce those things
which make modern life so pleasant.
For a few years church people were
reminding themselves of this when
they gathered once a year for a special
service of Thanksgiving.
To symbolize such feelings, they
placed the produce of factories
alongside fruits, vegetables and grain
etd
part of the
thing. For
Beat. w., were
perts call our
viable resources. Now we are
evelppilg a whole new set of
me of them are very old
vac
At the afr ,time we have developed
a new appreciation for our renewable
rourc,+l We know that by tending
our fields and streams and oceans
wisely and well they will continue to
produce, e, and can be -made even more
productive.
And that's why we are back 'on
Thanksgiving Sunday to where we used
to be, with the potatoes and peaches
and pears. Those churchehich drop
the passing fad, and, go back to
decorating their alta "with what God,
not man, has made,'have recognized a
fundamental thi . , It is one of those
rare instanceere by turning .back
to the good old ways we become as
modern as tomorrow.
Sugar and Spice/Ely Bill Smiley
School daze
THAT strong gust of wind you felt in
early September. as the nation's schoolsre-
opened, wasn't a warm front moving in
41 from the west. It was hundreds of
thousands of mothers giving a
simultaneous sigh of relief at getting their
offspring out of the house and out from
underfoot for five days a week out of the
next 10 months.
There was another gust of hot air at the
same time. This one came from the critics
of education, who are numerous as the
sands of the desert, and who• wonder, in
print `end 'aloud. what the t; yd : is
getting for his education dollar.
Well, for one thing. he or sheis getting
me. For the next 10 months, I will devote
myself, at a nominal remuneration, to the
task of trying to teach young people how to
read, write and speak their own -language
with some degree of accuracy: Like, you
know, it's crazy man, but that's the way the
frisbee flies.
Far be itfrom me to bite the hand that
feeds me, but most of the critics are all wet.
Some, with extra -bright children, are
furious that the public school system does
not provide enriched courses for their kids,
so that they'll emerge from high school
with the equivalent of a private school and
40 a university education.
But they don't pay any more school taxes
than I do, and 1 have no children in school.
I m helping pay for their kids' education.
Others, too lazy or scared to discipline
their own kids, expect the schools to do it,
they are the first to sue a teacher who
finally, being - human, can't resist giving
their darling. a whack on the head.
A growing number of critics take up the
chant of "getting back to the basics," when
they find that their kids can't do long
division viibout a calculator, can't write a
servile letter, and know more about sex
than they do about science.
What these people really mean is: "Why
don't them there teachers give the kids a
real good training in the basic elementals
like what I got?"
These are people who can't do short
division, unless it's two into four, use the
dash as their only punctuation mark when
writing a letter. and know nothing about
either science or sex.
There's another type of critic. This is the
type who deals in figures. He is infuriated
when he sees that the town council spent 46
per cent of its budget on education and only
All 22 per cent on the Works Department. He'd
rather spend money on straightening out
roads than on straightening out his kids'
heads.
There is one critic for whom I feel some
sympathy. This is the misnamed Senior
Citizen. He, or she, never got much
education, because in those days you had to
go to work, and only the elite, the sons of
doctors and lawyers and such had a hope of
going to college.
These people feel a righteous indignation
that their moderate incomes are taxed to
support those over -paid teacher's and those
expensive buildings and all those young
layabouts who should be out working .
when they, - themselves, get absolutely
nothing out of their education taxes.
Well, tough toenails, 01d -timers. You
helped elect the governments that are
bleeding you. And another point. We all
have to pay, seater or later. You and I are
leaving 'theme kids so far in debt they'll
• never getout.
The critics don't bother me. I work hard
at my job, and 99 per cent of the teachers in
the country do the same. We are not all
either a Socrates or a Jesus, but we do the
best we can with what we have.
You know, we're not turning out pulp-
wood or sausages or cake mixes. We are
not producing a product, whatever the
manufacturers and business people think
we should be doing.
We are dealing, every day, for several
years of their lives, with that most intricate
of mechanisms, a human being. And we are
doing that at the most sensitive and
delicate stage of its metamorphosis into
adult. Try that on for size.
And we're not doing it that badly. The
old, mindless authoritarianism, which
attracted the weak and the bullies into the
teaching profession, along with many first-
class people, is gone. That's good.
The old system, under which kids from
professional families went on and kids from
poor families went into service or factories
or common laboring is gone. That's good.
We're 4 trying to offset the mindless
garbage of television by teaching kids to be
curious and skeptical and challenging of
the shoddy and insidious. And that's good.
Let me give an example. 1 was in the
bank during the summer. Right behind me
was Ed, a boy I'd taught about three years
ago. He'd been caught drinking beer in a
car in the school grounds, and was expelled
for a week. Asked him how things were
going.
"Oh, pretty good, Mr. Smiley. I'm in
construction with Mose. Remember
Mose?" I did. Mose was a targe, good-
natured fellow who had staggered through
the two-year course in high school.
•Ed showed me the cheque he was
cashing. I almost fell on the floor of the
bank. Those two guys were making, each,
almost as much as I was, after years of
education and experience.
Thirty years ago, they'd both have wound
up on the end of a pick or shovel. 'Huff
said. It may be costing you an arnl and a
leg, but education today is doing more than
churning out cheap labor for the masters of
society.
The Melee ",ewviteterd it piddisised each
Theri ley et P.O. llruc h1. eftat•s. Onterle.
Cased*, Mt itA
suis bred es seem, cissee ,sett by the
Pot et lee +fir the permit somber erecta.
The Neirsatteri lowerporatei 7a tits the
Hetes ides iter e,d, ke s ee4 lye tlMlt, west
the Mies t4ew Era. fieteded he stats. Total
press rite a; Ob.
1't trust anyone over 30 ... in a 20 m.p.h. zone."
Odds 'n' ends
by Elaine To
nshend
To see Roy
Some of you may recall that Roy Clark, a country singer
and 'musician, appeared at the Western Fair in London in
September. Maybe you were among the record-breaking
crowds that •packed his two evening performances. My
sister, brother-in-law and I were part of the throng.
My sister likes Roy Clark. She'd do almost anything to see
him. She'd even risk life and limb, and in this case, she also
risked mine. -
My ;brother-in-law advised that if we couldn't get close
enough to see Roy's dimple, it wasn't worth going. With
this thought in mind, we planned to leave early. But the
evening began on a discouraging note. We were late.
Naturally my brother-in-law was to blame, because he was
delayed at the office.
When we finally hit the streets, the traffic was heavy, and
then we couldn't find a parking place, For twenty minutes,
we drove around searching for a spot into which we could
squeeze a Volvo. We finally found some space in a lot beside
a railroad track. Miraculously, we had to walk only seven
or eight blocks. The -Mt -le wl s1:15 and the°second show was
scheduled to begin at 9 o'clock.
When we stopped inside the gates, we encountered a long
line of people. "This can't be the line-up for the grand-
stand," we assured each other. But it was. We threaded
thr. oitgh the crowd to the other side of the building and were
met by another seemingly endless line.
"You blew it" my brother -in -taw announced to my sister.
"We should have arranged to come to the early show the
way I wanted to. "
"I blew it?" she retorted. "You were the one who was
late!"
Fortunately she ended the family feud by suggesting we
try the track. We emerged from the building on the track to
the left of the stage. We hopped the fence and strode closer.
until a guard shooed us back to the track.
About thirty feet from the seating area, we ran into a wall
of people standing. My sister noticed a chink in the throng:
she squared her shoulders ' and led us in. The wall closed
around us. When someone became tired of waiting and
vacated their spots, the crowd inched forward. My sister
and I couldn't see anything, but we could hear Roy.
Meanwhile, my brother-in-law acted as our periscope.
I sympathized with a little boy, about 11 or 12 years old,
who had lost his friend, Don. -I •e wandered through the mob
whispering, "Don,. Don." He Capped one young fellow on the
shoulder,, but it wasn't Don. Then he disappeared into the
shadows, but I could still hear his worried voice calling,
"Don,Don."
When the first show ended, my brother-in-law informed
us we were about twenty feet from the seats. That's when
the risky part began, 500 people tried to leave, while 600
morepoured in, -vying for the empty chairs
My usually meek and mild sister elbowed her way
through the crowd. I paid no attention to where we were
headed; I simply burrowed my nose in the back of her blue
jacket and followed her while my brother-in-law pushed
from behind. Ialmest panicked once, when -1 lost sight of the
patch of blue, but we were soon reunited.
While my sister and I collapsed on the first chairs we
came to, my brother-in-law forged ahead. In a few minutes.
he motioned us to join him near the centre of the seated
area. He had found three chairs in the fourth row from the
from behind. I almost panicked once, when I lost sight of the
patch of blue, but we were soon reunited.
From our early files
• •
• • 4
10 Years Ago
October 13,189,9
Clinton and District' Chamber
of Commerce, with the backing of
the town of Clinton and interested
local service clubs, have erected
one of the tallest exhibits at the
International Plowing match at
Seaforth this week.
The colorful pole with the
Indian head symbol and foot -high
lettering far the name is nearly 50
feet high. The plywood wall
which also serves as a wind-
breaker in this week's inclement
weather. advertises Clinton's
excellent quality water.
Mud and rain best describes
the 53rd International Plowing
Match at Scott's Farms near
Seaforth this week.
The match had barely started
on Tuesday when directors of the
Ontario Plowmen's Association
announced that the snatch would
be continued on Saturday.
A delegation from Clinton
Lions Club approached Town
Council Tuesday evening.
requesting the town to assume
operation of the Lions owned
arena on Mary Street.
The delegation included Lions
President Ken Flett, vice-
president. Don Colquhoun and
George Lavis, a long-time
member of the club's arena
committee. Mr. Lavis was
spokesman for (he Lions.
For the past i0 years, the town
has given $1.000 to the Lions for
arena operation. Last season. the
Lions put up over 92.300 of their
'opt money to operate the arena.
This is in addition to monies
collected at the arena from ice
rental and skating and hockey
revenue. Over $6.700 was used
last season to operate the arena.
Last Friday evening a mess
dinner was held in the officers
mess at Canadian Forces Base
Clinton to honour Flight
Lieutenant J.M. (Gibby) Gibson
who is retiring from the Royal
Canadian Air Force after 21
years of service.
Flight Lieutenant Gibson, a
teacher in civilian life, joined the
RCAF in 1941. He underwent pilot
training in Victori'avilie, sky
Harbour, Goderith and Camp
Soden, receiving his wings its
December 1+11, ttnnd was Oen-
stored
een-st red oversees.
25 Years Ago
October 18. 1351
The owner of a local jewellery
store which, was about to be
robbed had plenty to say about
the actions of Chief of Police
Joseph Ferrand of Clinton Police
Force, in connection with the
matter.
"We should be very thankful
for our policing in Clinton, John
A. Anstett declared. "I've never
seen a better • job done
anywhere."
It all, happened about 1:30 a.m.
Sunday. Charles F. Lockwood,
local barber, who lives upstairs
next door, telephoned Chief
Ferrand that he had heard a
suspicious noise near the rear
door of the jewellery store.
Chief Ferrand made haste very
quickly, and only partly dressed,
drove his, car into the laneway
and turned the spotlight on the
doorway. He noticed head and
shoulders of a man in a pit which
had been dug in connection with a
new basement wall:
Hopping out of the car. the
Child Jittefapted to arrest the
manrut \the latter put up a
-vicious struggle. kicking the
Chief on the legs and otherwise
making a real battle of it.
In the ,meantime, Mie:Lock-
wood phoned AMr.. Anstett and he
and Mrs. Anstett arrived by the
back steps from their apartment
upstairs. They spotted a second
man under the steps.
Miss A. Barttift. also living
upstairs. telephoned Tom
Twyford and he arrived on the
scene quickly. The latter and Mr.
Anstett helped the Chief and took
the second man to the lockup in
the Town Hall.
Police stated entry had been
made and a trap door from the
basement into the jewellery store
had been forced when police and
citizens arrived. A car stolen
front Centralia, was found on
Ratteinbury St. W.
The clever Clinton Lions team
has made a name for itself in
Midget befall hanks Mit year.
ping farther &Ong the Ontario
player trail than any other
rnlnar baseball teanzt in Clinton's
hitt, cry.
Al hist veto of snore then
Plate
B le thew in s
nection with the celebrating of
the 75th anniversary of
Brucefield United Church.
The squeal of brakes. that
dreadful herald of an accident
struck terror into the hearts of
those living in the vicinity of
Main Street. east of Clan Gregor
square in Bayfield.
Teddy Abbott. 10 year-old son
of Sgt. and Mrs. R.C. Abbott, had
a close call when he ran in front
of a car on the highway opposite
the Davison residence.
He. in company with -tither
children, was returning to schodl.
They were playing with chestnuts
on the pavement. Two large
gravel trucks had just passed
travelling south and Teddy
darted across the road in pursuit
of a chesnut right in front of a
northbound car. The driver did
not see the boy until he hit him.
The bumper of the car caught
Teddy just below his knee. The
boy sustained cuts and bruises,
but is convalescing nicely at
home.
50 Years Ago
October 21. 102$
A quiet wedding took place
yesterday afternoon at Wesley
Willis United Church when the
Rev. J.E. Hogg joined in holy
matrimony Annie Myrtle.
daughter of Mr. and' Mrs . John
T. Turner. Clinton and David
Edgar Allan, Tuckersmith, son of
Mr. and Mrs- James Allen.
The people of Bayfieid were
very much shocked. Tuesday to
learn of the sudden death of Mr.
Alfred Scotchrner in Kitchener at
the home of his son. Fred. in his
R7th year. The funeral took place
Tuesday from the home of his
son. William Scotchmer. Stanley
Twp.
Mrs. William Walker 1$ visiting
relatives in London.
Miss Georgina Rumbail is
spending the week in Wingham.
Mrs. John Heard. Bayfield, is
visiting her son$ Mr. J.L. Heard.
Mrs. S.G. Castle and Mrs. T.
Churchill were ,"ailed to Detroit
owing to the death of their sister,
, Mrs. Harrison. -
Fire destroyed the barn of Pant
Se . Bronson Line, Friday.
iriplements were sot out, Etat
the building : and tereteatit
1
including the season's crops were
destroyed.
Mr. A.F. Johns is still very 111 in
Goderich hospital.
At noon Friday. October 15. at
Riverview Farm. Stanley Twp.
the home of Mr. and. Mrs. Adam
Stewart -the marriage took place
of their daughter. Abigail Mary
and Fred J. Wallis. New York
City, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.J.
Wallis, Clinton.
75 Years Ago
October 11,1101
If the weather had been war-
mer than that on last Thursday
and Friday, it would have indeed
added much to the fall exhiblt4on
of the Stanley Branch
Agricultural Society at Bayfield.
Although it turned out up to the
expectations of the directors.
there was hardly as large an
attendance as last year. which
was owing to the -disagreeably
cold weather.
As Mrs. Parsons was prepared
to leave the house of L. Thomson.
on Louisa Streit., Bayfield. a fire
brokoc out from an unprotected
hole in the chimney. It was
quickly extinguished. but not
before . considerable harm was
done to the house. and also to
some of Mrs. Parson s furniture.
A small boy who lives with Mr.
George Cook in Goderich Twp.
had the misfortune to lose one of
his fingersin a grain crusher this
week. The finger was chopped off
piece by piece.
The Riddell farm. 13th con-
cession of Mullett Twp. consisting
of 150 acres of excellent land.
with good outbuildings, has been
sold to Mr. David Iloggart. one of
the most industrious farmers in
the Township, for his son for the
sum of 97,200. He gets a good
farm at a fair price
xszatigumass
.Cancor�
can b. boaten
100,000 voluntears in Ontario
Thanks
Dear Editor,
I would like to express my
thanks to those people in our
town that organize the sports
activities. There is always ,
type of sport activity to play
or to watch, whether it is
hockey,, baseball or soccer,
I feel that sports are a very
benefice' part of - any
community. 1 am happy that.
members in our community
can participate in sports. As a
spectator I really enjoy the
organized sports in my
community.
Irene Wubs
RR 2
Bayfield.
Trial
Dear Editor:
On Saturday, Sept. 18,
Henry Morgentaler was for
the third time found "not
guilty" by a jury of per-
forming an illegal abortion.
The Alliance for Life, the
national co-ordinating
organization for the pro-life
groups in Canada, demands a
full and public inquiry into
charges of jury tampering in
the trial of Dr. Henry
Morgentaler.
One of the jurors in the
most recent trial, stated that
an attempt had been made to
bribe her. This raises the
possibility that , other
members of the jury may also
have been approached. This
incident throws a cloak of
suspicion over all three of
Morgentaler's trials and a
full inquiry must be carried
out.
In addition, there appears
to be evidence of intimidation
of the jury due to the
following incident which took
place at the court on Satur-
day, Sept. 18, the last day of
the trial:
At 12 o'clock the jury
reported to the presiding
judge, Jacques Ducros, that it
could not reach a verdict.
Judge Ducros, advised the
jury to recess for lunch and
return at 2 p.m. to continue its
deliberations. During lunch a
photographer . and reporter,
the latter of whom is a known
supporter of Morgentaler,
photographed the jurors. The
jurors became very disturbed
and reported the incident to
the judge. They indicated that
they had been intimidated by
having been photographed.
apparently fearing that the
picture could be used to
identify them after the trial.
At 3 p.m. the jury began
deliberations again, and half
an hour later, at 3:30 p. m. it
was suddenly announced that
a decision had been reached.
That decision was "NOT
GUILTY-.
It is in the interest of the
Canadian judicial system
that a public inquiry ,be held
in this case, as the in-
corruptibility of the jury is a
cornerstone of our system of
justice. All Canadians who
are concerned about the
sanctity of the jury system
and the protection of the
personal safety of these and
future jury members, will no
doubt agree with our demand
for a public inquiry. (Sub-
mitted by the Goderich and
District Pro -Life Group)
Mrs. Grace Austin,
P iblicity chairman.
Bilingualism
Dear Editor:
Your article' on page 4, of
September 16. seems to rule
out letters on bilingualism to
the editor column!
Is the press and air not free
anymore - or just for a
bigoted few? (a two-way
street)
You guessed it! I do not
agree with bilingualism.
I am an English Canadian -
1 do not want to pretend to be
a French Canadian!
In bilingualism we all stand
to lose! Let's just learn to co-
exist and keep our own
(continue+ on page 3A)
News -Record readers are
encouraged to express their
opinions in litters to the
editor. however. such opinions
do not necessarily represent
the opinions of the flews-
Record.
Pseudonyms may be used,
by fluter Writers, but no fetter
will •les pvbliiiheed unless i1 can
be verified by pane.
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