HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-06-16, Page 4P
AGE 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1977
What we think
Old age and neglect
Almost 100 years ago a stately white
brick building was erected. The im-
pressive structure featured two
ooming towers, large windows of
nteresting design and an ideal central
location. The identifying stone laid into
the bricks read Town Hall A.D. 1880.
The year is now 1977 and the Town
Hall still remains standing. However
this is not necessarily a great thing': to
be proud of, for the building is now
plagued with old age and neglect.
Pigeons have taken up permanent
residence in the vacant upper portion
of the building, the brick walls are
beginning to crack and sag. The
eavestroughing is rusting out, the
wooden trim is falling apart and is
badly in need of a paint job. The walls
are dirty and the grass at the back is
uncut.
Although the building is rundown and
abused it does not have to be this way.
In 1974 Gordon Duern, a qualified
architect planned complete change for
the Town Hall. At that time it was
decided that a new building wouldn't
be any more costly than restoring the
old one.
Although this move was a little
drastic, the old Town Hall should be
restored and made less of an eyesore.
Fortunately this task is not im-
possible. Look at Paisley for instance.
Their 101 -year-old Town Hall was
badly in need of repairs costing
$320,000. So the town of 1,000 people
applied to the Ontario Heritage
Foundation and received a grant of
$128,000.
As part of the project the auditorium
on the second floor will be restored and
additional office space in the basement
will be created.
Exeter received a similar grant of
$47,100 to restore their former Town
Hall.
The Town Hall is an important fix-
ture in a municipality. It shows the
town's character, responsibility and
organization. In Clinton's downtown
location the Town Hall is especially
important' since it acts as a symbol to
outsiders and local people as well.
In such an ideal location with a
potentially lovely park, and working
water fountain, police station and
quaint library a face lift to the Town
Hall would improve and add a very
attractive spot to Clinton.
SUgcir and Spice/By Bill Smiler'
The black cloud
There's a big black cloud hanging over
this country, and despite the veritable
hurricanes of hot air emitted by politicians,
it refuses to blow away. Its name is
Unemployment.
If you have noticed that not so many
people seem to belong to the curling club or
the golf club as there were, don't imagine
for a minute that for some reason, there is a
drop of interest in the sport and the con-
viviality of these social oases in the desert
of our lives.
It's simply and purely that a heck of a lot
of guys and gals can't aftord the fees any
more, because they are simply and purely
out of work.
As a child of the ?egression, I grew up
under that big black cloud, and I know full
well what a brooding shadow it can cast
over an individual or a family. It hung over
mine for more than a decade, and it left its
marks on the soul, if not the body.
Let's take an average family of today
confronted by this spectre, without any
preparation for it..,, Jack has worked for 15
years in a plant. Working conditions were
good. Pay was good, ant's gott better every
time the union growled. Jack belonged to
the union, but didn't attend meetings. He
had worked up to $14,000 a year as a
foreman. Pretty good for a guy with Grade
12
His wife Jean has been working, too, for
the past seven years, since she got the kids
off to school. She was pulling in $7,000.
Between them, they had a good income.
Like everybody else, they wanted the good
life. Bought a house, with a 30 -year mor-
tgage. Traded the car every three years, on
a bank loan. Plunged for a boat. Enjoyed a
week's holiday in the south each winter,
and two weeks at a rented cottage in the
summer. Even went to Europe last year.
No real financial problem, although
spare money seemed rather scanty, with
inflation. But all payments met on time.
Suddenly the roof fell in. Jean's job was
declared redundant as the small firm she
worked for tightened its belt against rising
costs. She tried for another, but there were
10 younger women, with more skills, for
every job she applied for. With a rather
forced laugh, she told friends she'd decided
to stay home and be a housewife. And, after
all, she was collecting unemployment in-
surance.
Still no real financial problem. Then the
pogey ran out. Canada Manpower, that
hunk of bureaucracy as useful as teats on a
bull, had nothing for her.
Then — earthquake! Jack's company
announced, with the utmost regret, that it
would be closing permanently within a
month. In business double talk, the em-
ployees were informed that for some vague
reason to do with• the parent plant in the
States, it was no longer feasible to maintain
production at the local plant. Translation:
the fat federal subsidies the company got to
build the local plant had run out, along with
the special local tax deal.
Jack discovered, with horror, that he was
41 years old, that he had fairly limited
skills, despite his good reputation' as a
worker, and that there were hundreds of
young guys, who knew more than he did,
looking for jobs. He and the other foremen
were told that there might be a job for them
at the home plant in Waukegan, if they
wanted to make the move. Not as foreman,
of course. The home plant already had
foremen.
Jack and Jean had an income of $110 a
week, unemployment insurance. Their
mortgage payments were $320 a month, car
payments $90 a month, fuel and hydro $70 a
month. It cost them $50 a week to put bread
on the table. They owed the bank '$1,200 for
the boat.
That's why they don't show up at the
curling club and the golf club. That's why
they never throw a party any more: That's
why they don't go on holidays. That's why
their kids don't get new clothes on demand.
That is unemployment.
Boat is long gone. Transportation is now
a beat -up pickup truck that Jack uses for
his business. Oh yes, he's working. He
scraped up a thousand dollars and, with his
knowledge of welding and such, started a
small auto body repair shop. The thousand
he owes has increased to $1,500, but
business is picking up. A second mortgage,
at 18 per cent, saved the house. But there'll
be no money to educate the kids. There'll be
no more dr"eams o`f- retiring on a pretty
good pension, and buying that place in the
country. There may not even be a
marriage. Jack and Jean fight a lot these
days. Their kids don't like them much these
days. Jack gets awful drunk on Saturday
night. Jean cries a lot.
A horror story? Nope, just a modern
fairy tale, about two babes lost in the woods
of our material society, Where everybody
wants to get quite a bit more, and give quite
a bit less
I feel sorry for Jack and Jean, and all the
other people whose grasp exceeded their
reach. They're not really to blame. In a
society that puts money, things,
possessions, status, at the top of the list,
and people, thrift, humility, and integrity
at the bottom, they?re just a couple of the
casual casualties.
That's unemployment, 1977 style. Show
me some bread -lines, soup kitchens, men
who would literally sell their soul to the
devil for a decent job, and I'll show you
some 1930s unemployment.
Member, Ontario Weekly
Newspaper Association
The Clinton News -Record is published each
Thursday at P.O. Box 39, Clinton, Ontario,
Canada, NOM 110.
It is registered as second class mail by the
post office under the permit number 0817.
The News -Record incorporated in 1924 the
Huron News -Record, founded in 1881, and
the Clinton New Era, founded In 1865. Total
press run 3,100.
Clinton News -Record
MemberCadadian
Community Newspaper
Association
Display - advertising rates
available on request. Ask for
Rata Card No. 7 effective Oct. 1, ,
• ,lnrts.. •
' General 1Ninagcr - J. Howard Aitken
Editor - James E. Flt:geralt
Advertising Director - Gary L. Haist
News editor - Shelley McPhee
Office Manager - argaret G ibb
Circ ladon - Freda McLeod
Activating --Morkiiiiialuth
Subscription Rates:
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• U.B.A. - $15.50 -
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Bingle Copy - 25e
•
"Do you have any
experience?"
"Of course —
I've been on strike
many times."
Odds 'n' ends- by Elaine Townshend
The art of eating cones
Have you ever studied the art of eating
ice cream cones?
The best place and time to research
the subject is at your local Dairy Queen
or Frosty Freeze on a hot summer day.
Just sit back and observe. In a matter of
minutes, you'll see demonstrations of a
variety of methods.
First, there is the aggressive ap-
proach. A person grasps the cone firmly
in his right hand. His lips close around
the top of the triple -swirled chocolate
covered ice cream; and with one
swallow, he devours the tip. Without
turning the cone, he continues',to take
large bites. He seems oblivious to the
cold dot on the end of his nose and the
white ring around his mouth.
Before long, he pops the bottgzn of the
cup into his mouth for the It"delicious
crunch. Then his eyes wander to a girl
who has eaten only half of her cone.
'She is using the neat, precision style.
With methodical turns of the cylinder
and licks from her tongue, she shapes
the vanilla ice cream into a perfect
mound atop the cone and gradually
pushes it inside. She watches for soft
spots; if a trickle tries to escape, she
averts disaster with a flick of her tongue.
As a result of her careful planning,
even the last crunchy morsel has some
ice cream with it, and her fingers are as
dry as when she started.
An impatient person tries 'another
method. With one hard push of his
tongue, he flattens the scoop and it
spreads over the edge of the cone. The
ice cream melts faster than he can lick;
soon it oozes between his fingers and up
his arm to his elbow. Just when you
expect it to drop onto his shirt, he bends
slightly forward allowing the ice cream
to drip onto the ground missing his
sneakers by an inch.
• Then- he finishes, he needs three
serviettes to clean up with, but his grin
tells you he doesn't mind. _
Some people encounter complications
no matter which method they use. A girl
with long hair, for instance, must
develop perfect timing. A flick of her
head to toss the hair back from her face
is followed by a quick lick of ice cream -
a flick of the head, a lick of ice cream; a
flick, a lick and so on.
None of the above methods are
foolproof. An unabalanced scoop slides
off if licked the wrong way. Flaws in the
cone or a grasp that's too tight causes
the ice cream to flow through undetected
cracks. Dogs also seem to like the treat,
and a cone held low, disappears in one
gulp.
A few people panic if the ice cream
outmaneuvers them and drips onto their
hands or their clothes, but most just
shrug their shoulders. A little stickiness
seems a small price to pay for the cool
delicacy.
• You will discover that all the met rods
of eating ice cream cones result in the
same satisfied smiles. You'll also find
that researching the subject makes you
hot and hungry. The solution to your
discomfort is nearby. Which method will
you use?
From our early files .
• • •
• • •
10 YEARS AGO
June 15,''1967
The town of Clinton was
recognized as the home of radar
training in North America on
Friday afternoon and was
presented with a radar antenna
and plaque to be erected on a site
in town.
The presentation took place at
an Armed Forces Day ceremony
at Canadian Armed Forces Base,
Clinton with a full ceremonial
parade.
This year's Armed Forces Day
ceremonies were of particular
significance as a radar antenna,
symbolic, of a long association of
the Town of Clinton with radar
and communication training in
the Armed Forces was presented
to the town on behalf of the base
personnel by Group Captain
Greenaway. The antenna com-
memorates the establishment of
the first radar training school at
Clinton 'n 1941.
In rr a'.king the presentation,
Group Captain Greenaway
stated, "The names of Clinton
and Radar have been linked for
many years. In fact, to some
people they are synonymous."
The Hon. John P. Robarts,
premier of Ontario; Hon. J.
Mcllraith, federal minister of
public works and R.B. Ingalls,
director of special projects of the
Canadian Centennial Com-
mission have agreed to come to
the official opening of Clinton and
district's new Community centre
on Wednesday, June 28.
Also, all local members of
parliament will he present when
the official ribbon cutting is set
for 3 p.m. After the opening,
Rersons are invited to inspect the
new arena.
25 YEARS AGO
June 12, 1952
Reckless motorists had better
beware while passing through
Clinton.
Town Council Monday evening
approved a recommendation
made by Chief of Police Joseph
Ferrand that a "speed trap" be
installed.
"The material I shall require
includes a stop watch, air cable,
telephone wire, two batteries and
cable. Many complaints of
speeding on both main high-
ways ha'Ve •been made to me
during the past month," he said.
Quick thinking by driver,
Ronald Philip, Blyth, probably
saved the lives of some 20 CDCI
pupils, passengers of the school
bus he drove Tuesday last.
The school bus, owned by
Frank Elliott, Blyth, . was
travelling the old corduroy road
about 21/2 miles east of Lon-
desboro when the right front
wheel fell into a pothole. The bus
overturned into a water -filled
ditch and only Philip's quick
action Was credited with averting
further accident.
The driver and students
escaped through the bus door
which was upright. However,
their exit was a damp one, as
they had to step out into fairly
deep water in the ditch.
Sigmn. J.A Patterson, Royal
Canadian Signals, Royal
Canadian Horse Artillery,
'returned on Monday to
Brucefield after 13 months in
Korea.
Wearing one of the gay quilted
satin jackets which many of the
boys acquired in the East, Jim's
comment to the "News -Record
reporter was, "I wouldn't like to
go hack. It's the dirtiest country
I've ever seen."
50 YEARS AGO
June 16, 1927
A total eclipse of the moon took
place between three and four
o'clock yesterday morning and,
the moon being full and the sky
clear, it was plainly visible to all
who took the trouble to arise and
watch it.
The shadow of the earth
completely covered the moon,
which was rather low in the
southwestern sky, shortly before
four and it had not passed fully
off when dayligl?t,,can,e.
Clinton's pavement was opened
on Tuesday by a dance, held
under the auspices of the Hospital
board and the firemen. Men had
been at work' for a couple of days
cleaning up the street and the
block between 'the Royal Bank
Corner and Orange Street was
roped off and booths set up for the
sale of refreshments.
Did you have any garden stuff
frozen last night? Some say there
was enough frost to form ice.
There is some talk of having a
distinctly Canadian flag but a lot
of Canadians cannot see the need
of it. The Union Jack isn't a bad
old flag to live under. Fact is we
may find it a real man's job
making ourselves worthy of it.
• 75 YEARS AGO
June 13, 1902
A stranger accompanied by a
young fellow from Hen§all
arrived here last Monday and it
was not long before they got into
trouble. In the evening, on Huron
Street, the stranger approached
several young ladies who fled
from him and in a few minutes
again gave insult.
Constable Welsh who in the
meantime' was informed saw the
latter part of the drama and
promptly arrested the in-
toxicated gent and placed him in
the lock up. His companion
pleaded for leniency and a court
was held at 10 o'clock at night.
Dr. Vandyke of New York (for
such was the name and place he
gave). pleaded guilty and the fire
imposed with costs amounted to
$7.50. He seemed to be well
supplied with money for he pulled
out an extra roll of greenbacks
Mien settling up.
The railway authorities have
been recently sent out in-
structions, relative to arresting
boys juming on and off trains
while in motion; agents are
requested to take action to stop
the practice to prevent any ac-
cidents that may occur.
100 YEARS AGO
June 14, 1877
While passing down street a
few evenings since, we noticed
two well-dressed and apparently
respectable girls, aged about 4
and 7 years, certainly 'not more,
attempting to smoke from a
well -used clay pipe. A more
striking illustration of the force of
example is rarely seen. We don't
know whose the children were, so
that we cannot be charged with
being personal in this.
Laborers are continually
complaining that the wages given
by farmers are not sufficient, but
if they are able to pay any more
than at present we fail to see how
they are to do it.
We are informed of one farmer
in this neighbourhood that is now
paying $25 a month and board, to
a man. If this is not sufficient
renumeration, the farmers had
better turn their farms over to
the laborers and hire out
themselves.
An inquest was held in Har-
purhey on Monday last over the
illegitimate child of Bella But-
cher, that had been born the night
previous., After the examination
of two or three witnesses the jury
returned a verdict that the child
came to its death by want and
exposure.
What your
-think
Time to care
Dear Editor:
Summer has come, isn't it
wonderful? Tanned bodies,
healthy appetites and the joy
of eating and drinking when
the sun becomes hot and
longed for, cokes, cones and
just about ,.every luxury one
could want.
In summer we welcome the
hot sun but can any of you
imagine a drought so terrible
that -both people and animals
die of thirst, young children
are blind from malnutrition
and sometimes toothless
from the same and poverty,
that most of us would find
impossible to believe, let
alone bear.
Oh please open your
hearts and care, for so many
of us have the power to save.
Why let them die?
The organization CARE
provides food, tools and
equipment for building
homes, schools, safe water,
medical aid and education.
Please send tax deductible
relief donations to CARE,
1312 Bank Street, Ottawa,
Ontario.
• Yours sincerely,
Vivian Wagner,
Port Elgin.
• Smile;
What you.
think
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Up in smoke
Dear Sir:
Recent government bans on
the sweetener saccharin have
aroused intense criticism. Of
course it is commendable p
that governments have
concern for their citizens'
health, whether all agree with
specific actions or not. Many
have raised • questions,
though,, about 'how heartfelt
this concern is, when the
same opposition is not shown
toward a substance already
proven to be infiinitely more
deadly than saccharin -
tobacco.
Between a half and a third
of all cigarette smokers will
die prematurely because of
their habit, according to a
twenty-year study of 34,000
British doctors recently
reported in the "British
Medical Journal". And
"Natural History"
magazine notes that, "despite
the publicity that the •
cigarette -cancer connection
has received, far more deaths
arising from cigarette
smoking involve coronary
heart disease - the leading
killer in most developed
countries - than cancer ...
Moreover, smoking combines
with other major risk factors,
such as high blood cholesteral
and high blood pressure, to
multiply manifold the heart
disease risk." Yet, no bans -
only easily overlooked
warnings on the packs.
Why such delicate treat-
ment for a deadly killer while
a comparatively minor of-
fender receives full wrath?
"Natural History" spoke of
"governmental hypocrisy in
the treatment of tobacco"
and of governments being
"held hostage to the political
power of the tobacco and
cigarette producers or lured
by self-interest (tax
revenues)."
How refreshing it will be
when that Kingdom gover-
nment . for which even
politicians pray, unaffected
by such pressures, will rule
with only mankind's per-
manent good at heart.
;(Matthew 6: 9,10; Isaiah 9:
-6,7)
•
Sometimes we get so excited'
about baseball we almost
wish it were only a game.
sincerely yours
C.F. Barney,
Clinton
Welcome
v
Dear Editor:
I wish to remind your
readers that the Town of
Goderich is celebrating its
150th anniversary this year.
The main attraction is our
mammoth Sesquicentennial
Parade commenting at .r 2
p.m., Saturday, 9th July.
Thus far we have 18 bands
coming - pipe, bugle and ,p
brass types - and they include
the Preston Scout House
Band, Northstars, Enter-
tainers, Ontario Massed
Legion Pipes and Drums and
the Dutch Boy Cadets. We
plan on having the biggest
and best parade ever staged
in,, this area. I invite your
readers to participate. We
are looking for more floats of
all types, antique vehicles,
horse-drawn vehicles or
wagons, clowns, costumed
figures, old-fashioned cycles,
horseback riders or any other
type of thing which can make
up a parade. Clubs, groups
and families are urged to
consider taking part.
The route is 21/2 miles in
length and after the parade
there will be precision band
demonstrations by several
groups. The Honorary
Parade Marshal is that
famous rodent Mickey
Mouse, courtesy of Walt
Disney Studio, California.`
There will be lots of fun and
nostalgia in the parade.
Afterwards the Shriners
are holding a gourmet fish -
fry.
Any person interested in
taking part please contact me
at 65 West Street, Goderich.
Telephone weekdays: 524-
8333. After 5 p.m. and on
weekends 524-9293.
Yours very truly,
Patrick D. King
Chairman,
Parade Committee,
Jubilee -3 Celebrations
News -Record readers are
encouraged to express their
opinions in letters to the
editor, however, such opinions
do not necessarily represent
the opinions of the News -
Record.
Pseudonyms may be used
by letter writers, but no letter
will be published unless it can
be verified by phone.
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