Clinton News-Record, 1978-10-19, Page 4PAGE 4—CLINTON NEWS-RECORD,THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19,1978
What if nobody cared
What if your kids just played in
the street summer and winter?
What if your fatherless boy con-
tinually got into trouble with store
owners, neighbours and the police?
What if there was no blood when
your sister needed a transfusion or
not enough money to pay for her
special medical treatments? What
if the community and its events
deteriorated? What if there weren't
a4tractive flower beds around
Clinton? What if nobody cared?
As it stands now, only a small
group of people show that they care
and it is questionable whether they
can carry the load for the rest of
the apathetic, complaining, un-
caring citizens of this community.
Continually, a small group of
concerned and overworked•citizens
attempts to keep such
organizations as minor hockey, the
soccer clubs, figure skating, the
Kinsmen and other service clubs,
the Red Cross donors, the Cancer
Society, the Salvation Army, the
Horticultural Society, the LACAC
committee, Big Brother, Block
Parents, Guides, and Scouts, the
rec. committee and even the town
council running.
There is an endless supply of
such volunteer services and one
criticism against them is their
overabundance, but I wonder
where we'd be without them?,/
Undoubtedly, without them, the
complaints from the users would
only get louder.
The town would have to pay
wages to a rec director, there
wouldn't be anything for the kids to
do and higher wages would have to
be offered to council members.
Clinton would lose what attractive
flavouring it has and people would
start heading to other
municipalities. 4 These con-
sequential results may not be too
far off in the future if more co-
operation and volunteers aren't
found.
Too often people, not directly
involved in the fundamental
organization of such services take
them for granted. These people
use, then abuse and criticize the
associations for the work they are
attempting to do.
However, help is often ap-
preciated and desperately needed
by these clubs. Perhaps people
should use their excess energy that
is spent on complaining, on helping
instead.
If some constructive help isn't
offered by the parents and users
soon, an end may come to many
volunteer organizations in Clin-
ton. -SM
e
1'M 5o paa0., AN ORPHAN
�N
5okatt AMERICA t5
SuP?q Turf. ME,'
"You don't know what hunger is till you try making it through the morning on a bunch
of buns dished out at a. seminar on hunger!"
Sure sign of winter
Some people use the calendar to note
the change in seasons. One season ends
and another begins at a certain time of
a certain date each year.
Writing pleasures
One of the deepest satisfactions in
writing a column of this kind is the
knowledge that you are getting into
print the angers and frustrations of a
lot of other people, who have no
recourse for their resentments, and
consequently take them out on the old
man or the old lady.
How do you=know this? Well, because
people write you letters cheering you
on to further attacks, and other people
come up to you, perfect strangers,
shake hands warmly, and say, "By the
Holy Ole Jumpin! Bill, you really hit
the nail on the head."
This can be a little disconcerting, as
you are never quite sure which nail
they are referring to. If the
congratulator is a woman, I smile
weakly and change the subject.
Because sure as guns, though she
thought you were one of nature's
noblemen 'for your assault on male
chauvinism last week, she'll turn on
you like a snake when she reads
tomorrow's paper, with the column
exposing female chauvinism.
Speaking recently to a class of
potential writers in a creative writing
course, I tried to pass along the per-
sonal satisfaction one gets from this
type of personal journalism.
I emphasized the "personal"
satisfaction, because there's a lot more
of that involved than there is of the
other kind, financial satisfaction.
Columnists and free-lance writers have
no union working for them, nor any
professional association, as have
doctors, lawyers, teachers.
They have only their own talent and
wit and perseverance with which to
penetrate the thick heads and thicker
skins of editors and publishers.
But it's a great feeling when you vent
your wrath, say, about the
rapaciousness of mechanics, and you
are button -holed six times in the next
three days by people with horror
stories about mechanics you can
scarcely believe.
Trouble is, they all want you to write
another column about mechanics, and
put some real meat into it. This means,
in effect, that they would happily stand
in the wings and applaud when you
were sued for libel.
Some readers would like you to be
constantly attacking whatever it is that
they don't like. Capitalist friends are
aghast when you refuse to launch an
assault on capital gains taxes.
Welfarist friends think you are a traitor
and a fink when you won't attack the
government for not providing color TV
for everyone on the take.
I am not by nature an attacker and I
think there is nothing moreboring than
a writer who tries to make a career of
being-a"hard-hitting" journalist.
Once .in a while my gently bubbling
nature boils ' over. Throwing caution
and syntax to the winds, I let my spleen
have a field day and try to throvQ some
sand in the grease with which many
aspects of society are trying to give us
a snow job. And'that's one of the finest
paragraphs I've ever written, if mixed
metaphors are your bag.
Fair game for the hard -hitter are:
garage mechanics, plumbers, postal
workers, supermarkets, civil servants,
and politicians. Most of them can't hit
back and everybody hates them, ex-
cept garage mechanics and their
wives, plumbers and their wives, etc.
etc.
Smaller fry are doctors, lawyers,
teachers, used car salesmen. They all
squeal like dying rabbits when at-
tacked, but nobody pays much at-
tention to them except doctors and
their wives etc., etc.
There are a few areas that even the
hardest -hitters avoid. When have you,
lately, read a savage attack on greedy
farmers, callous nurses, or unloving
mothers?,And yet, there there are lots
of them around.
One of these days, perhaps, one of
these hard-hitting writers will muster
enough guts, after about five brandies,
to launch an all-out attack on the
audacity of women, thinking they're as
good as men. Boy, that fellow will learn
what real hard-hitting is all about.
Personally, I can't stay mad at
anybody long enough to be a voice of
the people, or a public watch -dog, or
any of those obnoxious creatures who
try to tell other people how they should
feel.
The only constant in my rage is the
blatant manipulation of self-seeking
politicians who will twist and warp and
wriggle and squirm and bribe for self -
perpetuation in office. Best example of
the moment is the Tory government in
Ontario, which has called a totally
unnecessary election in that province
through sheer hunger for greater
power.
The Clinton News -Record Is published each
Thursday at P.O. Bo Y 34, Clinton, Ontario,
Caned*. NOM ILO,
Mernbes, Ontario Weekly
Newspaper Assadation
It 1s registered as second class mall by the
post office under the permit number 0111.
• the News.Record Incorporated In 1494 the
Huron Nows,Record, founded in 1881, and The
Clinton trelw fro. founded in 18‘S. Total press
too 3,300.
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Otherwise, I get a great deal more
joy` from touching the individual life
than inflaming the masses. When I get
a letter from an old lady in hospital,
crippled with arthritis, who has
managed to get a chuckle out of my
column, it makes me feel good.
Recently, I got a letter from a young
Scot who has immigrated to Canada.
He says: "I. have learned more about
Canada and Canadians through
reading your column that all the ac-
cumulated wisdom from the Canadian
newsmagazines, novels and TV
programs -I have absorbed." .
Now there is a man with his head
screwed on right. If I, as a newcomer,
tried to get my impressions of this
country from newsmagazines and TV
programs, I'd catch the first boat or
plane home.
So, I guess I'll just try to go on talking
to people. getting sore, having some
fun, looking for sympathy in the war
between the sexes. That's what life is
all about, not plumbers and politicians
and other horrors of that ilk.
Other people read the natural signs
of the changing times. For example,
Labour Day and back to school means
the end of summer for many, while
others wait for Thanksgiving and the
sight of corn stalks, colored leaves and
ripe pumpkins to declare that fall has
officially arrived.
Although the first snowfall usually
heralds the beginning of winter, many
people are thankful for the respite
given by Indian summer - an interlude
between fall and winter.
For some people, spring comes with
Easter or with the greening of the grass
or the blooming of daffodils, tulips and
crocuses. Summer starts for - many
when school ends or when the hot
weather comes to stay.
As far as I'm concerned, winter
starts a different time each year. It
happens on the first cold morning that
my car refuses to start. Winter 1978-79
began for me at 10 a.m. on October 5.
There was no trace of snow, but the
wind was bitter and rain had fallen off
and on all morning.
After a summer of jumping into the
car and driving ' off without any
hesitation, I was stunned when I turned
the key, heard the motor sputter,
shifted from park into reverse, felt the
car shudder and listened to the motor
die.
Memories came flooding back to me.
I recalled shivering in my frosty buggy
for 10 or 15 minutes with my breath
vaporizing around me. My foot pressed
and depressed the accelerator, while
my eyes watched the alternator needle
quiver and the temperature gauge
slowly rise.
remembering
our past
25 YEARS AGO
October 29, 1953
The Clinton Public Utilities Commission
will meet at an early date to discuss and
consider the retirement of Superintendent
E. R. Rumball, possibly at the end of the
year.
Commissioner W. E. Perdue said, "It is
too bad that we all grow older, but it cannot
be helped. Ern has given the best years of
his life to this organization and would.
probably enjoy a rest. It is not going to be
easy to get someone to replace him, and it
will take some time. We would be well ad-
vised to keep Mr. Rumball in an advisory
capacity."
The price of haircuts in Clinton has been
raised to 75 cents, which is an increase of ten
cents over the present rates. This change is
announced 'by the Goderich Branch of the
Ontario Barbers' Association and will take
effect on Monday, November 2. The price of
shaves and children's haircuts was also
raised ten cents.
The new officers' Mess at RCAF Station,
Clinton was officially opened on Saturday
night. Guest of honour for the occasion was
Air Commodore W. W. Brown, Chief Staff
Officer, Air Training Command.
Air Commodore Brown cut the ribbon
across the entrance to the main lounge and
in the company of Mrs. Brown, led the way
into the lounge.
One of the highlights of the evening cante
when J. G. Gardiner, Goderich, and.
Fingland, Q.C., Clinton, representing the
honorary members, presented twin silver
ice buckets to the Mess Squadron header G.
D. Bland, president of the Mess Committee,
accepted the gift and thanked the honorary
members on behalf of the mess.
On Tuesday, October 27, Donald McLeod
was responsible for the rescue of two men
who were fishing aboard the sailing vessel,
"Glencannon." The men who left the dock in
Bayfield, intended to fish perch but owing to
an east wind were unable to make shore.
Donald, who realized their danger, lost no
time in going to their rescue. Minutes later
with his steel tug, "W, 3. McLeod" he tov*ed
the Glencannon and crew safely into har-
bour.
J. A. Anstett, one of Clinton's younger
businessmen has recently 'completed a
redecoration and -furnishing plan which
makes his store on Albert Street one of the
most modern small toswn stores in Western
Ontario. He welcomes all visitors to his
store, where new and old customers are
treated with equal consideration.
Sometimes I was fooled.' I managed
to drive away from the parking lot, and
everything was fine until I stowed at
the first stop sign, where I sat and sat.
I suppose it could be described as a.,
lesson in patience. If so, I bet I get a lot
more lessons this winter.
In the time the car takes to warm up,
I could probably walk to my
destination, and I probably would if my
destination was closer, if the weather
was better, if it was summer, if I had
more ambition and if I was not
determined to outlast the machine.
As I wait in my frosty buggy, I'm
reminded of the words of Jean Kyler
McManus, who wrote:
"Look up ...even when clouds hang
dull and gray -
Behind them shines a better, brighter
day.
Look out . . .and see a friendly hand
you've known
Outstretched to comfort and to clasp
your own.
Look in ...only within,your own heart
will you find
The riches of contentment. . .peace of
mind.
Look back ...to happy moments of the
past;
Though all things change these
cherished memories last.
Look onward ...at the heart of each
new morn -
Faith is renewed and happiness
reborn."
I might as well look up, look out, look
in, look back and look onward. I've got
nothing better to do while I'm waiting
with my foot on the gas pedal and my
eye on the temperature gauge.
o look through
the news -record files
The outside entrance has changed but
little, except for the show windows, which
incorporate fixtures set flush with the
ceiling and bright new drapes, giving
promise of the modern store.
Inside, the old style showcases have been
replaced with ..ew ones built of walnut and
finished in gleaming cherry. The inner walls
of all the wall fixtures are of light blue which
forms an excellent background for showing
off the china and silver pieces.
50 YEARS AGO
October 25, 1928
Mr. C. E. Martin of the Collegiate staff is
laid up with an attack of scarlet fever. It is
not a particularly severe attack and he is
improving favorably, but it is rather un-
fortunate for him and his bride, who is a
comparative stranger in town, that they
should be under quarantine. It is hoped his
recovery will be as rapid as possible.
What will Clinton do this year in regard to
a municipal election? We have heard some
criticism of the laxity of interest which
allows the office of councillor to go -a -
begging. Clinton should have enough public
inspired citizens ready to serve each year so
that ratepayers might have a choice when
they go to the polls.
The members of Trinity Anglican Church
in Bayfield are busy preparing for the fowl
supper to be held in the town hall on October
30.
The October number of the Canadian
National Magazine carried a picture of Mr.
J. G. Sloman, recently retired from the
service of the CNR after over 42 years'
service,, also a little comment concerning
him which was in part as follows: "In a
letter to W. J, Piggott, Superintendent of the
Stratford Division, Fred Sloman, who is a
teacher orf' School Car No. 1 on the Ruel
Subdivision writes, 'The freight cars had a
fascination for him. He helped load them
with tan bark and dried apples when he was
12 years old. They have been his life ever
since.' In commenting on his father's
retirement, Mr. Sloman pays special tribute
to the staff at Clinton and all the older men
who were friends, adding, '..a hundred rnen
of the division have been good to him.' "
The sidewalk west of the post office has
been straightened up this week. The street
committee acted wisely in making repairs
which were long overdue of which, as the
News -Record pointed out on more than one
occasion, might have caused a serious
accident. 75 YEAUS AGO
October 29,1903
Two Goderich lads,' Wilfrid Lewitt and
Gordon Drinkwater, aged 12 and 13, set out
for a walk on Sunday afternoon and when
some distance east of town were frightened
by some boys old enough to know better. The
lads were afraid to turn back so headed for
Clinton, coming down the railway track and
reaching here at nine o'clock. One of them
had heard his father speak of Mr. Hoover so
they made their way to the gentleman's
home. On hearing their story and while his
better half was preparing supper for them,
Mr. Hoover went to the telephone office
calling up the parents of the boys,
acquainting them with their whereabouts
and set at rest their great anxiety. The
alarm bell had been sounded and searching
parties sent out. Wilfrid and Gordon reached
home by the first train Monday morning. •
Mr. Charles Middleton's new kitchen is
nearly complete.
N. Contine was in town, on Thursday. He
still talks of an electric road between
Hensel! and St. Joseph, which he states can
be built and equipped for $70,000.
The CCI has received a challenge from the
London District Collegiate for the Hough
Cup and the game will take place on Friday,
November 7. Seaforth also sent a challenge
but as they failed to comply with the
regulations re the make-up of their team,
Mr. Forsythe of Berlin, secretary, had to
dbclare them ineligible.
The electric light service in the Ontario
Street Church is not as satisfactory as it
might be, the light failing on Sunday evening
last, the second time in a few weeks: Lamps
had to be brought into use and the pastor
went ahead with the service a§ if unaware of
the inconvenience.
My. D. Cantelon, widely known as the
-'Apple King" from his extensive
operations, has now 86 men in his employ
packing and shipping apples. Thirty-six of
their men are working in the Clinton district
and from 2,500 to 3,000 barrels are being
shipped every week to Glasgow and
Liverpool markets.
A number of citizens in Blyth are having
the telephone put into their business places
and residences.Tere is a large gang of men
here putting the necessary poles in the
streets and we understand they are going to
continue their work to Belgrave and
Auburn. 100 X'EARS AGO
October 24,1878
Sportsmen in town are putting up, quite a
bit of money on the trotting race to come off
here next week.
"Carson Block" is the name given the fine
Urgent help
Dear Editor :
As a non-profit organization, the
Town and Country Homemakers is in
urgent need of funds,
Rummage sales, stamp collecting
and many other fund-raising events
will be held in the future, in the hopes
that we will be able to continue our
service to Huron County.
Because we greatly need the funds
raised by these events, we are hoping'
your newspaper will make the Huron
County residents aware of our
organization and our cause.
Enclosed is an article which not only
illustrates the great help our
organization is to the people of Huron
County, but it also explains the coming
fund-raising events of my organization.
We would be extremely grateful if
you would include this article within
your next edition, as it would be of
great service to not only the Town and
Country Homemakers, but to your
readers also.
Yours truly,
Mrs. P. C. Gonie-Tak
Development Officer
Conspiracy
Dear Editor:
If anything can jolt us Canadians out
of our apathy and gullibility it should
be the recently -published book, "Web
of Deceit," by Moncton school teacher
Malcolm Ross.
Mr. Ross courageously exposes the
international conspiracy that, over 200
years ago, set out to achieve world
domination and that today is rapidly
approaching its goal.
"Web of Deceit" tells why our ties
with the monarchy are being cut; why
our Red Ensign was arbitrarily
replaced with the meaningless Maple
Leaf flag; why our immigration quotas
have been changed ; why Ottawa wants
gun control; why our churches and
education systems have been irf-
filtrated by those who seek 'our
downfall; and why we are being
flooded with pornography, anti -
religious films and narcotics.
"Web of Deceit" also tells who and
what are responsible for stirring up
trouble between Canada's fran-
cophones and anglophones at a time
when both groups' must be united to
face the awesome threat of the in-
ternational conspiracy.
"Web of Deceit" namesthe three
parts of this conspiracy and outlines
the action that freedom -loving
Canadians can and must take to defeat
it.
Certain people do not want "Web of
Deceit" read or circulated in Canada.
If your local bookstore doesn't have it
you can obtain it for $2:50 postpaid
from: The Canadian League of Rights,
Box 130, Flesherton, Ontario NOC 1E0.
Malcolm Patterson
Tusket, Nova Scotia.
Horticulture
Dear Editor;
The members of the Clinton Hor-
ticultural Society would like to thank
the Clinton News -Record for the award
donated again this year for our Annual
Flower Show. The interest you show in
our organization is really encouraging
for us.
Also, thanks for the excellent
coverage of the show in your paper.
Yours truly,
Laurie Smith,
Secretary,
•
Clinton Horticultural Society.
Squadrons
Dear Editor:
The Year of the Iroquois will be the
theme of this year's RCAF WWII
Squadrons Reunion, to be held at the
Royal York Hotel, Toronto, on
Saturday, October 28th, 1978. The
theme honours 431 Iroquois Squadron,
RCAF WWII.
Over 300 members are expected from
Canada, the United States, the United
Kingdom and.as far away as Australia,
as WWII Squadrons (which includes all
ranks and trades), gather for the'an-
nual get-together to rekindle old
friendships, refight old battles and
remember old departed comrades.
Reunion organizer George T.
Sutherland, is anxious to hear from any
ex -airforce types who are currently
"missing on civvy street" who would
like to participate. He can be contacted
at (416) 486-0311 or by mail at 30 Edith
Drive, Suite 1201, Toronto, Ontario
M4R 1Y8.
buildings erected by the lady of that name
on King Street.
A certain person residing, not a great
distance from Holmesville, always noted for
eccentricites, has gone further than usual
this year, by not cutting any part of his
crops. He had a splendid field of fall wheat
and other grains, but for some unknown
reason they were not touched and he turned
the Cattle int() grass thereon.
The jewelery store of T. Fletcher in
Brussels was entered by burglars last
Friday night between 12 and 1 o'clock.
Entrance was obtained by boring holes
through the door, thus removing the
fastenings of the lock. There was over 100
watches ands quantity of valuable jewelery
stolen and also $700 in money. No clue as yet
to the depredators. Mr. Fletcher said his
moneyltnd jewelry were in a Taylor safe,
with double doors and a Combination lock.
The ether day a Couple of vagrants were
arrested and placed in the lockup, but they
were "insecurely secured", as they
managers to raise the window and escape.
Ones, of the undertakers in town attended
no less than five funerals last week.
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