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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-02-16, Page 4PAGE 4--CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1978 Whatwethink 111111IIu11111111111u11111111HI1111UUI1110111111111111111111111111111111tlllulutllll11111 • Time to grow up The Huron County Health Unit has just designated this week as Family Life,Week. The idea behind this special week is to inform parents of their responsibilities to honestly, openly and encouragingly discuss sexuality and sexual behaviour with their children. It is through parents that children consciously and unconsciously develop their ideas on sexual behaviour beginning at an early age. However, if parents are negligent in their task of properly teaching and guiding their children to the realities and truths of the subject, the child often picks up ideas about sex from his peers which are usually mythical and inaccurate. However, it seems impossible to get parents to act in a mature way about the discussion of sex. They seem to prefer to hide the subject away in a closet, to tell little Becky about when she's 17 years old probably by which time it will be too late because she's already pregnant. It's not that Becky is a promiscuous • girl. Like any teenager, she's just experimenting in some unknown ad- venture and is really unaware of the outcome. More than likely sheand her girlfriends are under the impression that they could never get pregnant, or the common myth that you can't get pregnant "doing it the first time." Whose fault is this?, unknowing Becky .or the unwilling parents? Some parents are•making the topic of sex even more mysterious to their children by now trying to outlaw English novels from the high schools. It's no wonder that some teenagers are now hiding novels like "The Diviners" under their mattresses along with Playboy magazines. The parents should not be shocked because of this, for it is they that have made the books such a controversial subject, By outlawing the books as unfit for the minds of teenagers, they have in fact, reversed their intents. It's like telling nine-year-old Billy that his presents are hidden in the closet until his -birthday and he's not to peek. This only tempts him to discover the sur- prise. In .the same way by stating that once thought of as boring English novels are now filled with sexual connotations the highly imaginative minds of teenagers think of them as filled with wildly erotic activities. And of course, ac- cording to teenage logic, if it's for- bidden by mom and dad, then it must be good. Trouble has suddenly been made where it never existed before. Prior to the parents' uprising, the novels were not hidden under beds but where read by the students, studied as a piece of literature and a way of life. The way of life aspect and the sexuality is not generally approved as proper, but it is a reality in the same way that the persecution of the Jews is taught in history or the bigotry amongst races is discussed in Man and •Society classes. Perhaps the parents should learn to accept these .realities sothey can be properly taught to students in the school andclin the home. How can the children'"be expected to grow up and act in an adult manner when they don't understand all aspects of human behavior and their parents have yet not grown up? Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smiler A sunny column This week, for a change, I'd like to write a nice, warm, sunny column, after bleating piteously in the last one about our dreadful Canadian winters. It's difficult. There's a raging blizzard howling around the house. The wind moans, then wails, then shrieks in frustration as it can't quite knock down the sturdy brick structure. If I'd been like the first two little pigs, my dwelling would be flat by now, and I'd be bowling across the fields like a tumbling tu mbleweed. Couldn't make it to work this morning. Managed to get the old '67 Dodge 'started, barrelled through a drift on to the road, couldn't make the hill, backed down, got. stuck while turning, was pushed out, went the long way around, drove for a bit in pure whiteouts, finally put my tail between my legs, or came to my senses, crept home, rammed the old buggy into a drift, and dived into the house. My crazy wife, booted and scarved and helmeted, was just starting off' for the eye doctor's, five blocks away. She thinks I make too much fuss about the weather, mainly because she stays in when it's dirty, and I'm the one who digs the car out every morning. I told her to go ahead, but I wasn't driving her down. She stepped out the back door, in the lee of the house, and declared it wasn't bad at all, that she'd walk, implying by tone and expression that I was a big chicken, and that she, raised on a farm, was of the real pioneer stock who didn't let a little 40 -mile wind bother them. "Go ahead. -Enjoy," 1 suggested. She stuck her nose in the air, sailed out the back walk, got to the corner, turned purple and almost went flying off like a seagull caught in a squall. When she crawled back in, panting, I said it might be a good idea to call the doctor, She did and learned that he, sensible man, had started for town, turned around and gone home for the day and all ap- pointments were cancelled. If she'd tried to make it to his office and back, we'd have found her dead in a drift, in about three days. - From my second -floor window , the only one that isn't frosted over, I watch the show. One bewildered bird, tail blown in- side out, goes by on the wind like an arrow, slams into a tree, grasps a branch, is caught again by the monster and tossed out of sight into the spindrift. Must be somet sort of a miniature turkey, who didn't knove enough to go south with the rest of the folks, and thinks he has it soft because somebody is gorging him daily at a feeder. Wham 1 Thunk! gone of the shutters has torn loose, swings open against the window frame, then slams back against the brick wall. This goes on at irregular intervals all day. My wife knows perfectly well that when the wind dies, the shutter will be in the half-closed position, a real eyesore, and that nobody is going to wade through that snow with a ladder and fasten it back. I gently remind her that the same shutter blew off completely last winter, and lay near the front steps until well into Sep- tember before being put back up. "Rrrowrr!" There goes a snowmobile, hell -for -leather, with someone who thinks he's Captain Marvel at the wheel. If somebody comes out of a sidestreet, that embryonic Evel Knievel will go straight into him at 40 miles an ll,our. Oh, well. One less. No cars about now, after a few idiots tried to make the hill, and all wound up backing ignominiously down. There goes the oil truck, lumbering through. Wish I owned about four of those and • I'd be sitting in my southern con- dominium right now, chortling as I waited for the mail to arrive so I could count my cheques. Taxi company has obviously taken the phone off the hook. Don't blame them. Send a driver out for a dollar and a half call to some crazy old lady who wants to go shopping, and wind up with a $15 towing bill. There goes another tow truck. They're having a field day. And they can have it. I'm happy, sitting snugly at home, waiting for the soup to boil. Called the school. Hardly anybody there. But we teachers are like the Pony Express. We're supposed to get through. I could walk. It's only a mile, uphill, and I'd probably only get a heart attack or pneumonia. They'll probably dock me a day's pay for not trying to get through in my car and going in the ditch or running down a pedestrian. There's that poor devil down the street, shovelling. Every time I look out this window, he's shovelling, tirelessly. Can never be sure he's real. More like a ghost who hap been assigned this job for eternity, instead of coal in the Other Place. This is • worse. Wife worries about sister-in-law, living alone in the country. Worries about her father, hoping he ,won't try to get around the rural mail route today. Worries about her daughter, who must bundle herself and The Boys up and venture into the storm to -deliver them to day care, herself to practice teaching.assignment. Tell her not to worry. There's nowt we can do about it. In fact am rather enjoying the storm, the cut-off feeling. The not going to work feeling. A good storm is rather like a purge. Cleanses the spirit of that daily grumbling about the weather. a ,...4'2:4r4:40.,4)11 ,/ "Leave it to the Trudeau government to put an end to all the illegal activities in this country ... by legalizing them." Odds 'n' ends - by Elaine Townshend Valentines and cupid Don't get me wrong. I like Valentine's Day and all the traditions that go with it, for it is a sentimental day. that brings warmth to an otherwise cold month. But it was with a groan that I greeted the sight of Valentine cards in the stores in early January. On my first shopping trek after the Christmas and New Years' holidays, I was. confronted by dozens and dozens of frilly, heart -shaped cards urging me to buy now while the selection was good. "You've got to be kidding!" I moaned. My tongue was still curled from licking all those Christmas envelopes. I just wasn't in the mood to think about another session of licks 'and sticks. Nor was I feeling wealthy enough to spend money on more cards, for I discovered today's Valentines aren't the penny ones I bought when I was a kid. Some of the old standby verses are still around, such as "Roses are red, Violets are blue; I looked -for a Valentine, and I chose you!" But most rhymes are of the more sophisticated variety, and they wouki need to be if the prices continue to rise. Unfortunately, we seldom find a lovely picture and a meaningful verse in the same card. For these and other reasons, dear friends, you didn't receive a Valentine card from me this year, and you probably won't receive one next year, either. Cards aren't the only tradition of Valentine's Day. People search for special ways to say "I love you." Among the usual gifts are bouquets of red roses and telephone calls to say "I miss you." Mother Bell and those flower men, who sure get around, must make a mint! Of course, there are also heart -shaped boxes of chocolates and heart -shaped lockets and charms with the words "1 love you" engraved on them. Also on Valentine's Day, a lot of people seem to eget hung up on cupid and his trusty little bow. Along that line, a song, recorded several years ago by a singer named Leapy Lee or Leaping Leroy or something like that, fits right in: "Little arrows inyour clothing, little arrows in your hair. When you're in love, you'll find those little arrows everywhere. Little arrows that will hit you once, then hit you once again ; Little arrows that hit everybody every now and then. Here they come pouring out of the blue, Little arrows for me and for you. You're falling in love again, falling in love again..." Leapy Lee pond cupid have packed up their bows and arrows; the Valentine cards and heart -shaped boxes of chocolates have disappeared; the roses aretieginning to wither, and February 14 has come and gone for another year. From our early files . . . . . . . 5 YEARS AGO February 15. 1973 Settlement has been reached between the provincial gover- nment and an unidentified London resident to purchase 119 - acre piece of lakefront land near Bayfield for future development as a park. The Ausable-Bayfield Con- servation Authority was told Monday at Exeter that negotiations on the property, which began shortly after the land was purchased at an estate auction, were completed recently, possibly as early as December. One source said that tract of land, about three''miles south of Bayfield was purchased for aboyt $106,000. It has about 1,500 feet of frontage on Lake Huron and the authority had hoped to develop it as a public recreation area. - Twenty -eight-year-old Goderich elementary school teacher Paul Carroll was .ac- claimed as the New Democratic Party's candidate in the up- coming March 15 Huron by- election when the party held their nominating convention Monday evening at the Clinton public school. The March election will represent the second time that Mr. Carroll has placed his nartie on the ballot having run for the NDP in the 1971 provincial election polling 20 per cent of the total votes, or 3,427. 10 YEARS AGO February 15, 1968 During the recent congregational meeting of Wesley Willis Church, Clinton, three long-time members of the choir were presented with silver pins to commemorate their retirement from active choir work. Total service of 119 years is represented by Mrs. Mary Nediger, 45 years; Mrs. Florence Oliver, 41 years; Mrs. Adele Jervis, 33 years Police Chief Russell Thompson is reported resting comfortably in Clinton Public Hospital recovering from a recent heart attack. Gpderich voters will decide on April 17 whether they approve sale of beer in beverage rooms for both men and women. Girl Guide Catherine Freeman, 13, of the 3rd Clinton Pack waits for the town council meeting to begin Monday night. She at- tended the council to study procedure fol" her citizenship badge. Sixty teenagers enjoyed a record hop last Saturday night in the Auburn Hall sponsored by the CGiT group. Guests were the Lbndesboro Boy Scouts and the Girls and the Auburn Scouts. Master of ceremonies was Brenda Ball and the committee in charge of the records assisting her were Marie Plunkett and Betty Moss. Assisting Mrs. W. Bradnock were Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Plaetzer, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Anderson and Rev. M.R. Roberts in chaperoning the group and serving lunch. Clinton junior and senior basketball teams are tied for second place with Goderich District Collegiate Institute Vikings in the Huron -Perth Conference. 25 YEARS AGO February 19, 1953 The mortgage of $5,000 with which the Clinton Public Hospital began the year 1952 has been paid off completely and a net profit of over $7,700 is reported for the year just ended. There is a strong possibility that a nurse's residence will go forward this year, Mn. Fingland stated, and funds for this will, largely come from the usual grants that the substantial legacy with which the hospital will receive from the H.T. Rance Estate. Settlement of this estate is now in the process of com- pletion. Again, one of Clinton's youngsters is making his attempt at a mark in the world. At the annual Kiwanis Music Festival being held this week and next in Toronto, Bev Boyes is competing against entrants from 127 Canadian towns and cities. Ex -Councillor, W.S. (Bert) Gliddon has been re -appointed chairman of the Clinton Cemetery Board. Give to the Huron County Overseas Flood Relief Fund. Donations are urgently needed and can be left at any local bank. Now that the hockey season is practically over, Clinton Lions Arena with its artificial ice surface is open for further engagements. Any interested parties- may contact Arena Manager Howard Brunsdon at phone 15 or 320. 50 YEARS AGO February 16, 1928 Chief Strong has received in- structions from Queen's Park to strictly enforce the law com- pelling motor car drivers to have 1928 markers. The Government allowed a month's grace but now the law will be enforced. Miss Janet Aikenhead attended the Provincial Horticultural Convention which was held in Toronto last week, being sent as a delegate from the Brucefield Horticultural Society. A supper and dance was given in the Collegiate yesterday evening by his form -mates in honor of Mr. Benson Corless, who is leaving school to enter the Bank of Montreal as junior. Miss Catherine Kerr of Seaforth was placed under arrest by Provincial Constable A. Whitsides and appeared before Police Magistrate C.A. Reid at Goderich this afternoon on a charge of the theft of $11,000 from the Seaforth Branch of the Dominion Bank. The case is the result of a recent investigation by the Dominion Bank Inspectors. Miss Kerr held the position of teller of the bank for about seven years and the aforementioned amount is alleged to be made up of varidus amounts taken at different times during the. past few years. Miss Kerr was released on bail of $11,000 and will appear before Police Magistrate Reid at Seaforth on February 21, J.M. Best, solicitor of Seaforth, is counsel for the accused. The Clinton Hardware and Furniture Company has put down a new floor in the hardware department. Jack rabbit shooting is the order of the day around Con- stance. 75 YEARS AGO February 19, 1903 The Many friends of Mr. Allen of Hullett Township regret to learn that he is somewhat under the weather. This is very unusual as the genial gentleman is a very strong man physically. Many call to see their old friend every day and hope he may soon be his old self again. Many happy returns to Joseph - better known as Joe - Rattenbury born in Clinton on February 18th; 1860. He has lived all his life in this town with the exception of a ,short time the family spent at Holmesville. Joe has been in the hotel business since his teens and has an extensive acquaintance among the travelling community by whom his house is regarded as one of the most homelike hostleries in the province. The monthly horse fair was held yesterday and fairly well attended considering the state of the weather. There were several buyers present from outside points. Mr. George Hill of the Base Line delivered a span yesterday which had an aggregate weight of 3,400 pounds. They were both fine animals, one especially so, and brought a fancy price. They are intended for theOld Country. 100 YEARS AGO February 21, 1878 ,, Notwithstanding the varied weather this winter, the ice crop is a good one, Parties are now engaged in cutting ice at Van Egmond's and it is being stored in the several ice houses in town. The blocks • are over a foot in thickness and of good quality. The building known as the "British Hotel" will be sold by auction on the.5th of March. Vacant houses here are like angel's' visits, remarkably' few and very far between. On Wednesday night as Mr. T. Hamilton of Colborne was What you think 11111111101111111111111111111111101111111111111111111111111111111 4=H help Dear Editor : I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the coverage that you gave to the Huron County 4-H Club Leaders' Association at their annual meeting last month. The success of the 4-H program is largely due to the support that we receive from members, leaders, parent sponsors, Friends of 4-H, etc. However, we often forget to mention the news media; without the promotion and coverage that you give to our activities, it would be im- possible to run a successful 4- H programme. Thank you for your assistance. Yours truly, Len MacGregor extension assistant, for Huron County. Smut Dear Editor: As I was doing a routine check under my son Bunny's mattress the other day, I came across some obscene material clipped from the News Record, and I would like to protest as strongly as' possible the display in a public newspaper of this type. of thing. It' was an account of a woman who found copies of Playboy and Penthouse and the Diviners under her son's mattress and then rushed to tell a school trustee all about it. Bunny is only 24 years old and is very impressionable. It was obvious that the News Record clipping had been read over and over again. When I demanded an ex- planation from Bunny he said, "Gee whillikers, Mom, it's so kinky ; like her running off to tell a school trustee. She'll make that kid into another portnoy." Well, Mr. Editor, I don't know the modern slang well enough to know `what a portnoy is, and I don't intend to find out, but I 'wish to register my protest against this kind of thing being reported in the paper. Sincerely, Concerned Mother Clinton returning home on his wagon he was attacked by several young men at the foot of Dunlop's Hill near Maitlandville, who en - i. deavoured to get his money from him. He had come to Maitland- ville with a load of pork for which he had received his pay. The young men had evidently been waiting for Mr. Hamilton, but as soon as they made their purpose known he gave his horses a shorp cut with the whip and dashed away leaving his assailants in the lurch. They were not to be so easily baulked, but started off up the gully, the short way around the hill. Mr. Hamilton susPected their intention and urged his horses at the top of their speed and on getting around the hill he found the young scamps awaiting him. Although they made an effort, they did not succeed in stopping the wagon ,and Mr. Hamilton reached home in safety. The young rascals it is said are known but no arrests have been • made. The Clinton News -Record is published each Thursday at P.O. Sox 30, Clinton, Ontario, Canada, NOM 1L0. Member, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association It Is registered as second class mail by the post office under the permit number 0111. The News -Record incorporated in 1020 the Huron News -Record, founded In 1/01, and The Clinton New Ira. founded in 103. Total press run 3.300. Clinton News-Recor( 1 Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association Display advertising rotes available on request. Ask -for Rate Card No. 0 effective Oct. 1, 1471. General Manager • J. Howard Altkeh Editor . James 1. Fitzgerald Ailvertlsing Director - Gary 1. Hoist News editor • Shelley McPhee Office Manager • Margaret Gibb Circulation - Freda Mcleod Accounting • Marlon Willson Subscription Rate: Cahado •'13 per year U.S.A. • •11.00 Other • '20.00