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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1972-02-10, Page 70 We Should Change Priorities , A couple of weeks ago we commented on reduced provincial subsidies for streets and roads. No one is particularly happy that there will be less money available for main- tenance' and cosfotction of our thorough- fares, but we'.e ksed the thought that .other and more man needs may have a greater claim . upon, our resources. Specifically we referred to health and social welfare as alternative areas in which more tax money could be used to advantage. • We did overlook the field oreducation, where, •at the present time, a sad paradox exists. Hundreds of elementary tchool teachers have failed to find jobs during the past two years. At the same time the vast majority of teachers who are employed find • that they are unable to obtain the optimum results because their classes are too large. Almost every elementary school class (and probably the same applies in secondary. schools) has at least one or more youngsters who should have special attention. They are the children with learning handicaps of one sort or another. These difficulties range all the way from mild mental disturbances to physical handicaps—and no two children are totally alike in their requirements. Most of these youngsters have higher - 0 than -average potential. They tend to be ab- normally intelligent, rather than lacking in capacity. It is true that frustration may en- gender behaviour problems which can be in- terpreted. by the casual observer as signs of stupidity but seldom is this actually the truth It takes a well-trained and perceptive teacher, dedicated to his or her calling, to understand and help such children. Without this sympathetic guidance society stands strong chance of .losing some of its most promising thinkers. Above all, the teacher must have adequate time to bring out all the ;potential. of these special students. In a crowded classroom that extra time is simply not available. The demands of the "normal" -students, taken in total, leave the teacher longing for a smaller class and a better chance to fulfill her obligations to all her stu- dents. For 20 years or more an acute shortage of teachers made it impossible to reduce the teacher -pupil ratio, but that condition has been eliminated within the past two or three years. At last we have more than enough, teachers to make smaller classes feasible. Within the next two years we will also wit- ness the emptying of hundreds of elementary school classrooms as the reduced birth rate takes effect. For some time to come we will. have both the teachers and the well-equipped rooms in which to up -grade the quality .of our educational standards. Yes, of course, it will cost money. But it is, after all, our money and these youngsters are our children—although at times boards and departments of education tend to forget that fact. 11 we choose between better citizens or better roads, .we will opt for the human be- ings every time. Pitiful Spectacle. Personally, we have always found the fashionable "Newfie" jokes distasteful. tend to brand an entire province and its people as something second'class and'stupid, good natured though the .kidding may be. Unfortunately, the recent behaviour of M• Newfoundland politicians has gone a long way to reinforce the thought that the people of the island are a little bit queer. The elect- ed member of the Legislature from Labra- dor, bemused by the fact that he held the bal- ance of power in .an otherwise evenly mat- ched house, has switched his support not once but several times since the election. Another member jumped off the Conserva- tive ship in childish pique when he was not a, named to the cabinet. Apparently" two or three more members of both parties will be I.M1 PY s �S, • no more reliable. It is highly possible that all this political .immaturity is the direct consequence of 20 - odd years under the virtual dictatorship of Joey §mallwood. Given their freedom at last, the Newfoundland .politicians are •mill- ing around- like a herd of f cattle chased from a burning barn. In the course of time they will find the path of common sense and get on with the job of governing their province, but in the mean- time they are seriously damaging the reputation of their home and its people; Newfoundlanders are not a colony of clowns. They'are, and have been for several centur- ies, a . strong and patient people who. have faced 'up.to handicaps of weather and geo- graphy which would have defeated a weaker breed of men and 'women. A Good Idea. Crawford Douglas, CKNX sports editor, commented editorially on a recent Saturday A morning, that it is time to wipe out the pres- • ent form of Olympic games, along with the International Olympic Committee. He made a thought-provoking point. • He said that the original Olympic com- petition was set up by rich men for the par- ticular enjoyment and agrandisment of their own class and that the present day Olympic organization perpetuates the same concept. Be that as it may, the spectacle of ,84: • year-old IOC P -resident Avery Brundage eliminating athletes of any and every nation from competition, for whimsical reasons -or no• reasons at ail—is certainly proof that'the International Committee leaves no room for any opinion other than that of the president and his yes-men. Sportsmen the world over are fed up with the dictatorship of Brundage and his running 'mate, Bunny Aherne who has only to snap his finger and entire hockey teams are- forced out of the international arenas. , Mr. Douglas stated his belief that. the Olympics, in their present form should be abolished and a new •international sports or- ganization be formed on a democratic basis. It sounds like drastic action, but it may be the only solution to an .intolerable and out- dated imperialism within the sports world. e The Atom is browing Stale Twenty-six years have elapsed since the dreadful day when the first atom bomb fell on Hiroshima. ,In one searing flash the world was introduced to a new hor-ror—but to people ofperceptionthere was a weak glim- mer of hope in that holocaust. Like its prede- cessors, fire and steel, the new weapon had a tremendous potential for peaceful uses to mankind ,as well -as its almost limitless power to destroy. To the amazement of the entire human race, that weapon has never been used 'in anger since 1945. Equally bewildering is the ▪ lack of"progress in the development' of nu- clear power for the benefit of the human race. True, we have a few power plants which employ the atom, but as we are 'par- ticularly aware in this part of Ontario, that phase of progress is at best slow and uncer- tain. •" 0 The power of the atom "should by this time be providing the heat needed to distill fresh water -from the world's ,oceans so. that deserts and wastelands could produce food for the four-fifths of the world's people who are starving. The atom should be at work in countless other fields such -as medicine, transportation and industry. The scientists will no doubt defend their position with learned declarations about the time required for such vast undertakings. it is not time which is lacking -it is the will to do the job. If these past 20 years had been de- voted to war, the power of nuclear fission, Would have been.developed in ten thousand ways to take human lives. There is less in- centive, it appears, and certainly less finap- cial support for projects which would perfect. the peaceful uses of atomic power: So it -has always been. Beating swords into plowshares has ever been the dream, but seldom a reality. The Psalm for Today The State is my shepherd; I need not work. It alloweth me to lie down on good jobs; It leadeth me beside still factories, • It destroyeth mine initiative; It taketh me in the paths of a parasite for politics' sake. Yea, though 1 walk through the paths of lazi- ness and deficit spending I will fear no evil, for the government is with N me. It prepareth an economic Utopia for me out of the earnings of my grandchildren, It filleth my head with security; •My inefficiency runneth over. Surely, the State shall care for me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in a fool: s paradise forever. —National Association of Tobacco and Confectionary Distributors bulletin. Barry THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at Wingham{ Ontario, by Wenger Bros'. Limited. ., Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Member Canadian and Ontario Weekly Newspaper Associations. Subscription Rate: year, $5.50 for six months, in United States $12.50 in advance Registration No .0821 Return Postage Guaranteed Subscription $10.00 a Second Class Mill Winter Finale bets to Smiley All winter I've been laughifff, two months if I had a fall is no Not wildly or out loud, so that reason to envy those who swoop some people could do What down the hill like a bird. they've wanted to for years -7- Sanie with snowmobiling. I have me quietly put away. .have a slight handicap there, too. No, it's just been a stead) •l can fly a.plane and drive a car, stream ' of assorted chucllea0 if. there are good mechanics snickers and titters, with an oe* , around. But when it comes - to casional giggle erupting. when it small motors which stop running, poured rain around here in. Janur' all I can do is stand there and start. shifting from one foot to the other. It's embarrassing, but I'm- be- ing frank. It's all very well to talk about carburetors and pistons -and tout lines if you know what. they are, where they are, and what to do if they aren't working. I figure I'm lucky if I get the lawnmower started once out of three times, without summoning help. Thus, the only picture I can conjure with me and a snow- mobile in it is a nightmare: the pair of us out in the woods, ten -miles from nowhere, with the icarhuretors seized up or burned out (ir• whatever it is they do. ary. I was laughing, for the first time in about four winters, at the snowmobilers and skiers. Winter after winter. I have sat, glowering inwardly, as the- snro*- mobilers tried to outshout each other in their boisterous, boyish manner, each trying to tell a taller tale than the other about, how he jumped the creek or went up a 90 -degree slope with no hands, pr some such rot. Winter after winter, I've 'tried to keep the sour look off my face as the ski hounds burble their "in" talk about how many runs they made, chortle with glee every time there was a fresh fall of snow, and brag about their brand new Scheissmaken' eighty dollar ski boots. ' For about- two months, tlhe Winter of 1971-72 was known as "Smiley's Revenge". There was a little snow in December, but it was almost a green Christmas. There wasn't a snowbank worthy of skidding into on New Year's Eve. And the fine weather con-. tinued for weeks: lots of rain, high temperatures and virtually no snow. - "Let their snowmobiles sit there and rust", I whispered, barely able to restrain a guffaw. "Let their skis warp and their fancy boots remain unscuffed", I muttered, scarce able to hold back a peal of laughter: It's not that I have anything personal against these mid -win- ter bores. Some i of my best friends are snowmobilers, though I wouldn't want my ,daughter to marry one. And I know some. perfectly sen sible people who think there is something ineffably'enjoyable in 'sliding down a hill on a couple of inflated barrel staves. The genu ine' skier thinks nothing of spend- ing ten or fifteen dollars on a Sun- day's skiing,.even.if he has to cut his church givings to the bone. And it's not jealousy or spite. Just because I have as ropy knee that would put me on crutches for 14 No. I don't hate the people or the sports. I just hate snow with a deep and bitter loathing which must have some psychological explanation. bid I wet my pants, as a small child. while playing in the -snow? ,Did my parents, sick of my eternal wailing, throw me into a snowbank and hastily retrieve meC` I don't know the answer. But I do know that Smiley's Revenge has turned into Smiley's Folly. As i write, I can't see the house across the street:.: It's snowing sea -gulls, horizontally, with a forty -mile wind gusting .to sixty or seventy. Th( skiers are Smirking; the snowmopilers are laughing out loud. And I'm crying, deep inside. I knew it was a dream. But dream we must, or we are noth- ing; Some winter... Well; never mind. ' Hand me that ,shovel woman, and stand backs out of earshot. The old-time plumber was con- cerned about coffeebreaks, feather -bedding and other pro- duction interruptions. "When I Was an apprentice,"` he said "we used 10 lay thifirst two lengths of pipe—then the boss would 'turn the water on and we'd have to - stay ahead of it. — TODAY'S CHILD BY HELEN ALLEN SPORTS -MINDED This young lad with triencll\ is Bill. 12 years old .\nglo- Saxon in descent: he is a handsom, . healthy bo\ with light brown hair, gr'eeri eyes and medico1 colepiexion '1'h0ugh ,toc•krl\ built. he is rattier small tor his age , .;.Bill is a shV bo\. ext refuel \ di,!ident in ottering to take part in - any activities though he .torn, in eager.When Others indite the suggestion Recently he became a member of a hock(\ team on his own anti his ('h11(1l(n', \r.d \' iker°Wd, bo111 surprised and delighted at this evidence of grow mg self-confidence ' , - '1'his lad takes to all sports Ile plays basehnll in, the summer and at school has played both toot hall and soccer in the Summer he attended day camp which he-enjir\e(1 Very mucic Rill is a pleasant.. c•o-oher;rtr\e boy who' gets on well with children his own age \'t ith thin 11 1' much more outgoing than with adults. He is -having some di11rcnitres with his work in'(;racie-5 anti is waiting to get into an opportunity class Though not academically inclined. he en.lo\some ashecls of school. lie is imaginative and lilies being in plays ,ind doing projects Physical education is his favorite ,object. Hill very much needs the security and -support of a family who will encourage him to realize his abilities and help him develop sell confidence without pressure tot academic excellence To inquire about adopting Hill, please write to Today's Child. Station 1<. Tor- ohto. For general adoption information ask your Children's Aid Society. WHILE SNOW CREATES problems, it also adds to the beauty of the area. This row of trees on the northern fringe of Wingham presents a pretty sight with snow -laden bran- ches. —Staff Photo. ingkrin AbbancieJimt Wingham, Ontario, Thursday, February 10, 1972 SECOND SECTION. ews Items from Old Files FEBRUARY. 1937 John Campbell was the vale- dictorian at the annual com- mencement exercises of the Wingham High School. Profi- ciency awards were won by Pat- ricia Parker, Doris Armitage, Doneliia McLean, Dwight Reid; George T. King and John Camp- bell. Field Day champions were Lillian Fuller, Lloyd Ellacott, Evelyn Carter, Harry Posliff, Ruth Nethery and William Burg - man. Rev. D. T. L. McKerroll, ' for- mer moderator 0, of the Presby- terian Church of Canada and, for 27 yeaI's;' minister -of Victoria Presbyterian Church, Toronto, tendered his resignation at the annual. meeting of the . church. Mr. McKerroll preached at Luck - now 'prior to going to Toronto.. Representatives from Wrox- eter, Gorrie, F.ordwich, Harris- - ton, Lucknow and Wingham, met here and 'formed a committee to interview the Minister of High- ways requesting that the road from Harriston to Lucknow be taken over as a provincial high- way. Visiting hours at the Wingham Hospital are 2 to 4 in the after- noon and 7 to 9 each evening. Co- operation from the public would be greatly appreciated. . Lucknow Horticultural Society has decided to plan a coronation year tree planting scheme. Of- ficers of the society are S C. Rathwell, G. H. Smith, Miss E. McCluskey, R. Fisher, A. W. Hamilton. Cameron Adams has pur- chased the 100-acrg farm belong- ing to the Peter MDougall estate on the boundary -line east, near Bluevale. • The West Wawanosh Mutual Fire insurance Co. elected of- ficers at Its anndal meeting last week. The new officers are Don- ald MacKay, William J. Thomp- son, G. C. Treleaven, Thomas Stothers. FEBRUARY. 1917 At a recent meeting of the 13-.61: grave branch of the Red Cross Society, it was decided that the group would disband. ( Al a special meeting of the •Wingham Town Council the main item of business was the appoint- ment of Joseph J•. Evans to the Wingham Utilities Commissio`r to complete the unexpired term of the late Frank. Sturdy. The plaque for the cenotaph has been 'completed and will be placed on a portion of the c no- taph facing John Street. The worst storm of the season left Wingham virtually isolated last weekend. All' provincial high- ways and* county roads Were blocked and town streets Were in such a condition it ' was im- possible to drive cars. Banks of snow line the. main street, in some places as high as 15 feet. 'R II. Coultes was named presi- dent of the Belgrave School Fair at the annual- meeting last week. Vice presidents are Lawrence Taylor, and, R. J. McMurray; Stewart Procter is secretary- Ireasurer. A local curling bonspiel was held on Monday while the storm raged. The winning rink was composed of Bill Lee, Bill Tiffin, Murray Rae and Ron Rae. Alex Fetus has disposed of his interest in the Gorrie garage business, to his partner Hugh Swell zer . Whitechurch residents Mr. and Mrs. Louis Dalton moved last week into the house they had moved to their farm in Ashfield in the summer. Emerson Wright of Meaford will return to Blyth in March when he will enter into partner-, -ship with W. H.,Morrit in the im- plement business. 'A rink of local curlers com- posed of Harvey, Cook, Jim Breckenridge, William Hender- son and Frank McCormick won two rounds at a bonspiel at Palm- erston last week. The marriage of Miss Wilma Staples and William Radford, both of Blyth, took place Satur- day afternoon in the United Church. FEBRUARY, 19,5H The Ira McLean barber shop in Wroxeter was entered on Friday evening' and a small, amount of money was taken . from the premises,. Prov. Const. Lewis of the ' Wingham detachment in- vestigated the theft. Robert Kirby, 12, of Walton; was rushed to Wingham General - Hospital on Tuesday of last week after a dynamite cap with which he had been playing exploded. Parts of the fingers on the boy's LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 692 Ecclestone, Street, London 25, Ontario. February 7, 1972. Dear Editor:, Through the generosity of my sister-in-law, Mrs. Harry Mul- vey, ,,,we have been. enjoying a subscription to the Wingham Ad- vance-Times for some years now. Particularly do we enjoy the worthwhile editorials and `Srniley's' column is often good for a laugh. I hope•you might be interested in the enclosed article for your paper. Just recently I had an article accepted in Japan . on aple syrup making and sent the ditor of the magazine ' some amples of Belmore maple sugar which was. received with ex- clamations of joy among the of- fice staff: I was wonderingif this is the furtherest that a piece of Belmore maple sugar has travel= led'' Yours truly,. Mrs. Stewart Mulvey .. Editors Note: See article this issue. left hand had to be amputated and pieces of metal were re- moved from his face. Dr. S. G. Leedham of St. Williams comes to Wingham this week to assist Dr. K. M. Mac-, Lennan wi Ten nursin ated last Th ham en his practice. assistants gradu- y at the Wing - al Hospital. They re Wilma Brodie, Nancy Schalk, Sharon Guy, Joanne Sutherland, Marion Schantz, Betty Lou Vassella, Mrs. Clara Elliott, Betty Ann 'Danhousen, Donna Wilson and Janet McRae; In charge of the graduation cere- monies` were Mrs. Dorothy An- derson and Mrs. I. E. Morrey. Prime Minister John Qiefen- . baker stated that an election, the second one in tine months, will_ be held the end of MarCh. Members of the town council and others met with representa- tives of Canadian National Rail- ways relative to the status' of passenger service on the Palm- erston -Kincardine' line. The suggestions offered by the local people who wish to see the. run through Wingham continued, will be handed to a fact-finding com- mittee and a decision made at a later date. The speech from the throne at. the opening of the Legislature in Toronto on Monday contained in- teresting. news- for the people of Huron. The speech included the announcement that two hospitals for retarded children are to be erected by the government, one of them in Huron: Several property changes have taken place near Gorrie: Chester Bennett has purchased the John Toner farm on Concession 5, Ho - wick. Gordon Coulter has bought Mr. Bennett's farm•and Mr: Caul-• ter's father, Fred Coulter, has purchased Harry Rharne's farm on Highway 87. , During the suffragette move- ment in England, an elderly cru- sader, jailed often over her zeal- ousness for the cause, was once agaain arrested and placed in a cell,next to a much younger lady who was in for the same reason, but for the first time. The older woman heard the young One sob- bing loudly in the adjoining Cell. Rapping' energeticall on the dividing wall, she, s outed: *'There, there; dear, do 't cry! Ptd your trust in God. he will protect you'." 'WOW CO/4E VQ() e, srL e+ w� ANG 7116-;, DUNS 'A/E4US, IF /TS IwA*/AIG Ybw SQL L