Clinton News-Record, 1979-03-08, Page 13Jack's jottings
BY JACK RIDDELL,
M.P.P.
Last week I wrote
about the so-called "new
North 'American
phenomenon" of the
elderly and their role in
society.
As I'm sure you are
aware, the subject of
retirement age has been
under discussion a great
deal. Professor
Parkinson, the author of
Parkinson's Law, which
proved that the amount of
work done is in inverse
proportion to the number
of people doing it, has
done a study on
retirement ages. He
found that mental powers
and energy show signs of
flagging at age 62 when
the retirement age of a
company is 65. Where.
retirement age is 60,
people start to lose their
grip at 57. When
retirement age is 55, the
decline begins at 52. In
each case the gearing
down begins three years
before "retirement" age.
How different is the
attitude of the
management executive
who said, "I am 57 -years -
old and I don't know what
I want to do when I grow
up." Obviously, he was
having no problem with
the much talked about
mid-life crisis.
However, for many
people such a crisis is
very real. Nor is either
sex immune. I am not
speaking of physiological
problems - but of career
-'and lifestyle problems.
"Where have I come
from and where am I
going?" people ask
themselves.
For women, the dif-
ficulties are frequently
aggravated because they
have spent much of their
time being .';,"wife and
mother". They arrive at
a stage. of life when the
young ones have fled the
nest or are about to do so,
and they have to take a
new look at themselves
and their place in the
scheme of things.
As recently as 1900, life
expectancy of a female
was about 48 years - now
it- is more than three
score years and ten, and
that " mythical creature
"the. average woman" .
has no children of pre-
school age after she has
reached her mid -thirties.
There used to be two
cycles in a woman's life -
pre -marital and the rest
of her life, given over to
marriage and child-
rearing. Today, there is a
third cycle, between the
mid -thirties and the
seventies or even later,
when she can pursue her
own interests-, .and so
many women are using
this third cycle - this gift
of a new life - to meet the
challenge of a career,
rather than a job of work.
For them, the catch -
phase "Life Begins at
Forty" has a whole new
meaning. For many of
them, this time, of
reassessment and new
beginnings is like a
personal renaissance.
There are innumerable
cases of women whohave
carved out exciting and
fulfilling careers for
themselves at a time
when they might well
have succumbed to the
so-called mid-life crisis.'
Some people have been
able to make it on their
own. Other -s -.might have
succeeded had they been
able to get counselling
and advice. Clearly there
is a need for a
proliferation of agencies
or groups - voluntary or
otherwise - to help people
make this transition.
People well past the
mid-life have also made
exciting new beginnings.
There is one agency in
Toronto called simply
"Over 55". .One of their
spokesmen has stated
that firms are indeed
moving with the times
with respect to more
mature workers.
"They're taking a
different view of older
people now and we're
seeing people in their
seventies. being
productive in all fields."
Research and debate
on the role of older peop e
in society is receiving
world-wide attention.
David Hobman, director
of Age Concern England,
said recently, "When
people retire, we give
them a watch the
cruellest symbol of all,
for the one thing they are
likely to have too much of
is time."
So much depends upon
attitude - our attitude to
our own age, and the
attitude of society
generally to the older
- people within that
society. In this latter
connection, ageism has
been described as the
most prevalent kind of
racism.
As to our own, in-
dividual attitude,- "so
many people are afraid of
growing old. The first
grey hair is' cause for
alarm. '
As someone once 'said,
"By all means, if your
hair turns green or blue,
run to the doctor - that's
cause for alarm. But grey
hair is , no cause = for
alarm. Be proud of it -
wear it like a badge of
honour." Don't . let it
affect your self-image or'
your lifestyle. '
Youth is more an at-
titude of mind than a time
of life. It's enthusiasm,
joy, imagination;
courage. It's a spirit of
adventure, a deter-
mination to live life to the
hilt.
Sir William Mulock,
Chief Justice of Ontario,
died -in 1944 at the age of
100. On his 95th Birthday,
he spoke to a very
distinguished group of
people, gathered to
celebrate this event. His
remarks at that time
inspired his audience.
People in their forties,
fifties and sixties found
themselves taking a
whole new look at their
own lives because of what
Turn to page 16.
Goderich Twp...
• from page 11
storage shed, and to
Peter Vat% Driel for a
manure storage tank.
Severances were
requested by Gordon
Johnston, Ray Bush,
Mark Raithby and A.
Aylesworth and council
passed a motion to have
the applications dealt
with as per questionaires.
Confirmation was
received on the day of the
council meeting that the
Township Secondary
Plan had been approved
by the Ministry of
Housing so. council
passed a motion to have
the Huron County
Planning Department
prepare the necessary
zoning bylaw to im-
plement the secondary
plan.
Accounts tatalling over
$11,000 were presented
and ordered paid by
council.
Council then adjourned
until March 5 at 1 p.m.
,1
Bill Taylor, of Varna, road superintendent of
Stanley Township, was honored with a life mem-
bership in the Association of Ontario Good Road
Superintendents at their convention in Toronto last
week. He was also appointed secretary -treasurer of
the organization last fall and took office at this
meeting. (photo by Mary Chessell)
This is a farmer
This is not the first time this column has appeared in
print - and it's pretty sure not to be the last. The
original author is unknown but whoever he (or she) is,
he knows a thing or two about farmers.
"Farmers are found in fields plowing up, seeding
down, returning from, planting to, fertilizing with,
spraying for and harvesting if. Wives help them, little
boys follow them, the Agriculture Department con-
fuses them, city relatives visit them, salesmen detain
them, meals wait for them, weather can delay them,
but it takes Heaven to stop them.
"When your car stalls along the way, a farmer is a
considerate., courteous, inexpensive road service.
When a farmer's wife suggests he buy a new suit, he
can quote from memory, every expense involved in
operating the farm last year, plus the added expense
he is certain will crop up this year. Or else he assumes
the role of the indignant shopper, impressing upon
everyone within earshot the pounds of pork he must
produce in order to pay for a suitat today's prices.
"A farmer is a paradox - he 'is an "overalled"
executive with his home, his office; a scientist using
.fertilizer attachments; a purchasing agent in an old
straw hat; a personnel director with grease under his.
fingernails; a dietitian with a passion for alfalfa,
animals and antibiotics; a production expert faced
with a surplus; and a manager battling a price -cost
squeeze. He manages more capital than most of the
businessmen in town. •
"He likes sunshine, good food, state fairs, dinner at
NOON, auctions, his neighbors, Saturday nights in•
town, his shirt collar unbuttoned, and above all, a good
soaking rain in August.
"He is not much for droughts, ditches, throughways,
experts, weeds, the eight-hour day, helping with the
housework, or grasshoppers.
"Nobody else is so far from the telephone or so close
to God. Nobody else gets so much satisfaction out of
modern plumbing, favorable weather and good ice
cream.
"Nobody else, can remove all those things from his
pockets and on washday still have overlooked: five
"steeples," one cotter key, a rusty spike, three grains
of corn, the stub end of a lead pencil, a square tape, a
$4.98 pocket watch, and a cupful of chaff in each
trouser cuff.
"A farmer is both Faith and Fatalist - he must have
faith to continually meet the challenges of his
capacities amid an everpresent possibility that an act
of God (a late spring, an early frost, tornado, flood,
drought) can bring his business to a standstill. You
can reduce his acreage but you can't restrain his
ambition.
"Might as well put up with him - he is your friend;
your competitor, your customer, your source of food
and fiber, and self-reliant young citizens to help
replenish your cities.
"He is your countryman - a denim -dressed,
business -wise fast-growing statesman of stature.
"And when he comes in at noon having spent the
energy of his hopes and dreams, he can be recharged
anew with the magic words: 'The Market's Up.' " -
Author - Unknown
Mail child tax credit
Officials from Health
and Welfare Canada
recently advised persons
applying for the .Child
Tax Credit to mail the
forms with their income
tax returns to Revenue
Owners of smaller businesses
The Federal Business
Deveiopment Bank
can provide you
with
• Financial assistance
Management counselling 'CASE)
•e Management training
• Information on government
programs for business
his
Canada.
W. A. Wright, Regional
Director, Income
Security, says that the
Income Security division
in Toronto has received a
number of the Child Tax
Credit applications.
' l
!',//\//
1/N' l?%alt/K
11
CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MARCH 8 , 1979—PAGE 13
Varna manhonored
By Mary Chessell
Congratulations to Bill
Taylor, Stanley Township
road superintendent, who
was presented with a life
membership in the
Association of Ontario
Road Superintendents at
their convention in
Toronto last' week. Allan
Nicholson of Tuckers.mith
also received a Life
Membership Certificate.
't Both are former
presidents of the
organization, Bill in 1973-
74 and Allan in 1976-77.
Last fall, Bill was ap-
pointed secretary -
treasurer, succeeding
Melvin R. Dale of Forest,
who held the office for 17 '
years. Bill's term began
at the three-day con-
vention, which he at-
tended along with his wife
Helen, accompanied by
Toni and Barb Consitt.
Tom and Barb Consitt
were also in Toronto on
Friday and Saturday at
the Weekly Newspapers
Convention. One of the
highlights was breakfast:
in the C N Tower
Bob Webster, who had
surgery in Clinton
Hospital on Wednesday,
was back home on
Stanley plans curling night
Chairman Don Brodie
presided for the
February meeting of the
Stanley Recreation
Committee meeting
which was held on
February 28 at the
township hall. The Winter
Carnival, which was held
on Sunday afternoon,
February 11, was con-
sidered a big success
A curling fun night will
be held on March 27, and
anyone in the township is
welcome to come out to
the . Vanastra Curling
Club that night. If you
have curled before, or
would like to give it a try
for the first time, call
Jean Rathwell at 262-5292
or Bob Turner at 262-5677.
The Spring Dance has
been scheduled for
Friday night, April 27 at
Hensall Community
Centre with music
provided by the
Bluewater Playboys.
Tickets are $10 per
couple, which includes a
hot lunch. They are
available now from any
of the following mem-
bers: Don Brodie, Gerald
Hayter, Jean Rathwell,
Howard Armstrong,
Arnold Taylor, Harvey
Hayter, Jack Coleman,
Shirley Hill, John Paul
Rau, Clarence Rau.
Family problems on farm
BY J.J. HAGARTY,
AREA COORDINATOR
AND FARM
MANAGEMENT
SPECIALIST
Recently I spent a
couple of days with- a
group of concerned
fathers. Their sons or
daughers will graduate
this spring from Cen-
tralia College of
Agricultural Technology.
Most of these young
people will be coming
home to farm. And,
they'll bring little with
them -- except their
talents, enthusiasm, and
laundry for mother to
wash.
I admire these fathers.
They were really sear-
ching -- like detectives
looking for clues that
would help solve a
mystery. The mystery is
complicated by many
factors -- high inflation,
high interest rates, and
uncertain markets. One
father asked a very in-
teresting question.
"How do you treat all
children equal?"
Another asked, "Is it
fair to burden one child
with $250,000. debt and a
lifetime of struggle?"
Most of these questions
need to be answered by
another question. Is it
fair to give each child an
equal amount of money?
Some may have been
willing to do chores
morning, night and
weekends. Others may
have concentrated on
other things. Some may
have a good education
and a job with security
that provides 'cash for
life'. In fact, is it fair to be
equal to all? Does the
child have a real com-
mitment to farming? Or
is it just because they
don't know what to do?
Most of these fathers
were around 50 years of
age. They are not ready
to retire. Maybe that's a
good thing? It takes a lot
of management , to
operate a successful farm
business. Experience and
education make a good
team. And com-
munication is a key word
to harmony on any team.
What is a fair wage for
a young person coming
home to farm? Everyone
had a different answer.
One farm accountant
with a lot of experience
says that unless the
young person received
$200 a week, it doesn't
usually work out.
See our Represenfatitve
DENNIS TOFFLEMIRE
at: PARKERHOUSE MOTEL,
CLINTON
on:
the 3rd Thursday of each month
NEXT VISIT: March 15th
Oar prior lnfornnatlon
Call 211-3630 or writ*
1036 Ontario St., Stratford.
Many parents 'gasp' at
this figure of $10,400 per
year. But he points out it
doesn't have to be in
cash.It can be in
livestock, demand notes
or back wages paid in
the future.
One problem with
paying a wage is that the
young .person gets no
benefit from the inflation
in land and livestock. The
monthly paperwork in-
volved 'in paying income,
tax, unemployment in-
surance, workmen's
romnpnsntion and
Canada Pension Plan
'bugs' most farmers.
An income share of the
netincome is one
solution. The young
person has an incentive to
increase farm income
and reduce expenses. It is
a testing period for all
concerned. It gives a
record of performance.
A family policy of
updating agreements
every two years and wills
every five years may.
help solve the mystery of
fair versus equal.
Thinking goes with driving
One thing the mind
can't do is be in two
places at `' once. When
you're, driving you can't
be thinking about
springtime or food or
problems at home and, at
the same time, treat that
oncoming car like a good
defensive driver should.
The Ontario Safety
League firmly believes
that driving demands
complete concentration.
When you're in the
driver's seat sweep those
other thoughts . right out
of your mind and occupy
it with thoughts aboutthe
driving scene in general,
and the other driver's
actions behind the wheel
in particular.
Friday. By Monday he
was beginning to feel
pretty good again.
Doug and Mitdred
McAsh and family
arrived home last
weekend from a holiday
in Florida. They stayed in
Gary McAsh's mobile
home near skin, and
visited the tourist at-
tractions in the area and
Cocoa Beach and
Daytona Beach. They had
a visit with Rev. and Mrs.
Taylor, too.
There was a good at-
tendance at the Orange
Lodge card party on
Friday night. Flora
Dowson had the high.
score for ladies, Helen
Demerling of Waterloo
the low. Men's high went
to Dub Wilson, law to
Charlie Hutchins. Draw
winners were Tracy
Hayter, Debora Rathwell
and Veronica Huffman
(2).
The Clinton Midget
hockey team (Scott
Consitt and Darrell
Postill are team mem-
bers) won a two out of
three series against
Southampton in games
played on Thursday night
and Sunday. With only
eight players on Sunday,
they defeated
Southampton 4-2.
GttalCalllc�.,
completSupplement
incointetions and
apYetuYnthem
Fill out your Guaranteed Income
Supplement application forms and
send them in right away!
The forms have been mailed to all pen-
sioners now receiving the Supplement.
To continue receiving the Supplement you
must fill out the forms and return them
right away if you want to continue receiv-
ing the Supplement beyond March 31.
If you don't do it — the payments will stop!
So, fill out the form ... return it in the
addressed envelope that was supplied...
and continue receiving payments.
11101Health
, and Welfare
Canada
Monique Begin
Minister
Sante et
Bien -etre social
Canada
MACHINERY PURCHASED!
DEALER PAID
FARMPLAN EQUIPMENT LOANS
.,MAKE FARM PRODUCTION SENSE
• Up to 100% financing.
• Available for new or used equipment.
• Repayment scheduled to suit your cash flow.
• Can be used to re -finance existing loans
or finance contracts.
FIRST, make your loan arrangements at your Royal .Bank branch.
THEN... wheel down to your supplier and deal... with cash!
In Clinton:
call Iner Smith, manager
4as-aar1
In cod•rtch
call Don Bedore, manager
ROYAL BANK
serving Agriculture ,
•