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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. .14