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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 1981-04-02, Page 4PAGE 4-CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, APRIL 2 ,1981 BLUE RIBBON' AWARD 1980, The Clinton N/vrc. iecorai Is pmllIsheetl each Thursday at P.O. lox 39, Canton, Ontario. Canada. NM M. T®1.: 4{24493. Subscription data; Canada - °14.41 Sr. Citizen • '14.00 per year U.S.A. ✓i, foreign -'30.40 per year le is registered as second class mull by the post office under the perwait number 8812. The hie ws.Re+cord Incorporated In 192® the Huron Nerro-Record, founded In 1181. ond The Clinton Neer Era. Qwonder! In 116S. Yokel press ran 3.301. SNA MEMBER JAMES E. FITZGERALD - Editor SHELLEY McPHEE - News Editor GARY HAIST - Advertising Manager HEATHER BRANDER - Advertising MARGARET L. GIBB - Office Manager `MARY ANN GLIDDON-Subscriptions MEMBER Display advertising rotes available on request. Ask for Rote Card No. 11 effective Oct. 1. 1980. J Farmers need back pat Even though -ifs usually customary to give thanks in the fall, this year we should give thanks in the spring as well. The snow is gone and in just a few weeks, the farmers will be out tilling the land, get- ting set to provide us with yet another set of crops that have allow- ed Canadains to pay food prices that are among the lowest, in the western world. But this year, it's not going to be easy for those farmers to keep bringing those high quality crops at low prices. The reasons: high interest rates of 18 per cent or more, low commodity and red meat prices, and escalating input costs for fertilizers, tractor fuel, and seed. And that's without considering soaring land costs. High interest rates are the real trouble maker though as farmers, unlike most consumers, borrow heavily in the spring to buy fer- tilizer and seed, paying off huge loans when the crops are sold in the fall. In fact, interest payments in the average cash crop have grown in the last 10 years to make up about 15 per cent of the cost of putting in a crop. Farmers must make decisions now on whether commodity prices will be high enough when the crop is harvested to cover the extra costs. And with farmers actually losing money on pork, beef and apples, the outlook is already gloomy on many farm before one wheel is even turned. So instead of criticizing this week, we'd like to give all the farmers a pat on the back this spring and hope that can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our lives depend on them. By J.F. A welcome .m:Qve Seaforth town council may be paving the way for a truly open democracy, as members of that public body are actually considering opening committee meetings to the press and public. At the next meeting of Seaforth council, o motion initiated by Councillor Paul Ross will be introduced which would only close meetings to discuss legal, employee and negotiation concerns, with ail other matters to be.dealt with infrontof the public. It's certainly a welcome idea and is something every council across the province would do well to emulate, that is, if the rest of Seaforth council backs Councillor Ross. The limitations suggested by Councillor Ross seem very reasonable, as there are certain matters which have to be dealt with behind closed doors, but those times are rare, and most of council's discussion should be fully devulged to the public. by J.F. ...M11/9111,1,71k -1 dfa rd . Marr .; ,ries r : , c„ There's a fungus among us by Bud Sturgeon remembering our past a Zook through the news -record files 5 YEARS AGO April 1, 1976 In their continuing campaign to fight the proposed closing of Clinton Public Hospital, the Citizens' Action Committee have been issuing bumper stickers and lapel buttons. Rev. Stan MacDonald of Londesboro put one of the first stickers on his car last week. The Clinton Hospital Board is still con- sidering an offer from the board of the Goderich Alexandra Marine and General Hospital to move a 20 -bed psychiatric unit from the former Goderich Psychiatric Hospital to Clinton in order to keep the Clinton hospital open. - For the first time, the Central Junior 'C' trophy has come to Clinton. The Mustangs won the trophy last week and were presented with it last Saturday night .at a banquet in New Hamburg. III YEARS AGO April 8, 1971 • Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology is prepared to open a college in. Huron next fall and has already reserved space at CFB Clinton in the former Radar and Communications School building. Twenty members of the 8:30 club from the London area spent an enjoyable evening with Mr. and Mrs. Ivan McClymont last Saturday for a'pancake and maple syrup supper. They had visited Mr. Ross Kercher's sugar bush near Hensall in the afternoon to see the syrup making process. Mr. Kercher has 600 trees on tubing. The party was arranged by Mr. Kelvin Jervis of Clinton who is the social director of the club. 25 YEARS AGO April 5, 1956 Telephone users in the Clinton exchange area are receiving supplementary telephone sugar and spice dispensed by bill smiley Canadian foofawraw Hello, out dere! Are you as sick as I am of the whole foofawraw concerning our un- patriated constitution? Are you fed up with the daily battle in Parliament: the finger -pointing, the jowls - shaking, the threats of coercion by the Liberals, the howls of defiance of the Tories, the yelps of frustration of the NDP? - And all over a piece of paper that has been residing quietly in Westminster, Lon- don, England, for more years than most of us are old. Are you becoming a mite nauseated by having your tax dollars used to bolster in- firm corporations like Chrysler and Massey -Ferguson, that could not hack it in the market place? Or the same dollars ( yours ), used to buy up oil companies, paying about thirty per dent more than the shares are worth on the stock exchange? Are you tired to the teeth with the con- stant bickering among the provinces, and the constant squabbling between them and Ottawa? Are you totally ticked off with the con- stant threats of separation' from the Wealthy West, the Querulous Quebecois, and recently, of all things the New -Oil Newfies? Are you thoroughly disgusted with unions who serve the public - postal, hospital, transit thumbing their collective noses at the law? There you are. A lot of rhetorical ques- tions. It's exactly like the questions for alcoholics. If you answer "No" to one of them, you are an alcoholic, trying to hide in the closet. If you answer yes to all of them, you are also an alcoholic. If all my readers are as angry as ,I am, or even half as angry. with all this raucous shouting, all these cries of "Gimme," or -Me, too," there must be a long, slow burn, like a dynamite fuse, creeping across this country. My kid brother, who spent thirty-five years in the uniform of his country, and not at any desk job, retired recently, with the Distinguished Flying Cross, among many other decorations. He was a full eolonel in our armed forces. He has a pretty good pension, and is young enough to undertake a second career. One would think he'd settle down to write his memoirs, or perhaps run for parlia- ment, or at least resign himself to writing caustic letters -to -the -editor, signed "Col., Ret'd.," from his comfortable home somewhere in Canada. One would be wrong. He picked up stakes, turned his back on his own country, and retired to Florida. He had "had" Canada up to the ears. And I don't blame him. Let's go back to the constitution. What a lot of poppycock! If the government had quietly asked the opposition parties to agree to requesting the British govern- ment to send the silly thing to Canada, there would have been no problem. The Brits are used to it. Nobody is against motherhood or a constitution coming home. But now that we don't build statues of public figures, Pierre Trudeau wants one built of paper, that will find its place in the history books. As a result, he and his centurions are bull -dozing their way through Parliament, alienating the provinces, and radiating an arrogance that hasn't been seen since the days of C. D. Howe, and his demand for closure, because Parliament was getting in his way, back in the Fifties. And the Tories, stung bitterly by being turfed out of office after only a few months wandering the corridors of power, are equally intransigent in their opposition. They won't give an inch, even should the Liberals offer one. On the sidelines, the NDP runs around in circles, trying to attract some attention. They supported the Liberals on the Con- stitution only because they hate them less than they do the Tories. How about those tax dollars used, without so much as a by-your-leave, to prop up near -defunct manufacturers? Sure, some would go bankrupt. Some jobs would be lost. But couldn't more jobs be created by using those hundreds of millions positively, than by handing crut- ches to foreign-owned corporations? What in the world. was accomplished by using money out of our back pocket to buy Petro -Fina at a ridiculous price? True, we have more Canadian -owned gas stations. But this company will not put one more litre of gas into our energy program. And if the new acquisition is aS well-run as the Post Office, Lord help us all. And', as I have always said, if anybody wants to separate, let them go to it. I, for one, would not fight to hold Canada together, to force an erring son or daughter to stay home against his or her will. If Newfoundland wants to go, let her (it?) go. With all that oil, and all that fish, along with some spuds from P.E.I., the natives could live like kings on fish 'n chips forever. The,country would be bigger than Iceland, and a lot better off financially. But if she goes, let the government stop reaching into my wallet for welfare and Turn to pa20 • directories this week. The booklets, printed on pink paper, contain the new numbers that will go into use when the telephone system is changed over to dial operation early Sunday. "The Old White Elephant" has been finally disposed of. This week council accepted an offer from Mr. and Mrs. Ceriel VanDamme for the old public school building and lots on Ontario Street. Purchase price was $8,100, with $1,000 down and balance in 60 days. Mrs. Walter Johnston was awakened about 11:30 pm on Tuesday .night and discovered their garage, a frame building 20'x25' ablaze at the southwest corner. She awakened her husband and together they rushed out and Walter got the truck out safety, while Mrs. Johnston backed the car out. The fire was caused by an overheated stove pipe from a bean boiler in the garage. That corner of the building was burned and probably the dampness . saved the con- flagration from spreading more quickly. 50 YEARS AGO April2, 19:11 Tuesday, Mr. Frank Trick of Goderich Township was hitching the. driver to the buggy, and when one tug and one holdback were attached. Mrs. Trick got into the vehicle and on lifting the robe the horse took fright and bolted, throwing Mrs Trick from the vehicle. Happily, she escaped without serious injueyi In;the buggy were a quantity of eggs and ^a can of cream, to which the most destructive results occurred. ' 75 YEARS AGO April6, 1906 A number of farmers in the Brucefield vicinity will send their cream to the butter factory in Centralia this summer. Our village has a factory and good dairy country around it. There should be a flourishing creamery in our village, but at present no ol,. sees fit to engage in the work. The timber men are making havoc in the woods of Goderich Township. What will be done for our sailing vessels when the best timber is consumed. A petition has been signed by a large `number of voters of Goderich Township, and forwarded to the auditors who are auditing the township books at a useless expense, merely to satisfy twoor three old cranks, who rose, as if having authority, in the council chamber, and ordered that the books of past years to be looked over and probably rec- tified: but finding no particular mismanagement, hence the petition. One night during the past week a Clinton lady who had been in the west returned to town by the 11 pm train and went to the house of a relative. She rapped for admission, but they would odds 'n' ends. A toast to friends A friend is one of the precious things of life whose value - cannot be measured in dollars and cents. A true friend cannot be bought or bribed, fooled or forgotten. A friend is a patient soul who listens to all our complaints and then quietly says, "This is how it looks to me." A friend is the one sure thing we can depend upon in the most uncertain of times. A friend is the one from whom we accept criticism knowing it is fair and con- structive. A friend is the one with whom we want to share our troubles, triumphs, joys and. secrets. A friend is someone we know we can turn to at anytime. But, the best friend of all is the one who lets us know that we are thought of as a friend as well. And in the end, the give and take of friendship is balanced. The subject of friends and friendship has kept writers' pens busy since time began. For example, "Friendship is the com- fort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of comfort blow the rest away." - Author Unknown. Hilaire Belloc wrote: "From homes and first beginnings. Out to the undiscovered ends. There's nothing worth the wear of not let her in, not knowing who it was, and thinking it might be a burglar, as she did not answer their question, being so hard of hearing, that she evidently did not know what was said. She then went to the house of her sister and met with the same reception, af- terwards securing admission to the home of a friend. It was really her 'own fault that she was not received where she first went, because had she spoken she would have been recognized at once. too YEARS AGO April 1, 1881 On Monday last, a horse belonging to Mr. Wm. Moore, grocer of this town; broke loose and ran away from the front of his store up the hill at break neck speed, where he was stopped by a courageous boy. Cause - too much oats. At a written examination in Goderich Township the question was asked on one of the papers, "For what is London. in England noted?" Answer, "For the Biddulph Tragedy." Our importation of Kid Gloves, direct from . France comprising 25 dozen of the latest colors. For summer wear in pale mauves, blues, browns, chocolates, drabs, slates, lavenders, whites and blacks in 2, 3 and 4 buttons. We now" have ladies' and gen- tlemen's gloves to match in sizes from 6 to 10. Every lady should see these goods, A fine assortment of ladies' ties, direct from New York. One case of laces and embroideries, finest assortment in town. Our grand opening takes place on Saturday, April 9 at W. Jackson, the famous hatter and furnisher. The weather keeps cold and the lake is covered with ice, giving poor prospects of early navigation. Do not let prejudice stand in the way of relief if you suffer from any lingering disease. Burdock Blood Bitters cure others, why should it not benefit you? It is a specific for all forms of blood, liver, and kidney complaints, nervous headache, general debility, scrofula, and all diseases of the secretory system; Trial bottles 10 cents. Do you have an opinion? Why not write us a letter to the editor, and let everyone know. All letters too published, providing they caw bit authenticated, and pseudonym. MJ ; allowed. All letters, however, are subject to editing for length ' or libel. by elaine townshend winning. But laughter and the love of friends." The following are two selections by Lucille Boeken. The first explains it is the "Littlei Things" that count. "It's the little things that others do That make life more worthwhile The unexpected courtesy The sunshine of a smile The hand reached out in sympathy When skies are dark and gray The words of warm encouragement When dreams have gone astray The special little kindnesses A favour here and there Each one a token from the heart That says 'I really care' So, count the 'little things' worthwhile And treasure them no end — They mean you have the best in life - They show you have a friend." The second poem describes the impor- tance of going through life "Side By Side With A Friend." "A friend is a special possession Whose value increases with years Someone who doesn't forsake us When a difficult moment appears Someone who lights up the darkness With a smile that's as warm as the sun Who rejoices with us when we're happy Who praises the good we have done And our road will be smooth and untroubl- ed No matter what cares life may send If we travel the pathway together And walk side by side with a friend." Katherine Nelson Davis talks about all the things that can be shared with friends: "God put such lovely things on earth What views write letters Dear Editor: Fred "Doc" Jackson seems to be eager to receive some response to his letters to the editor. His latest letter, published under the heading "Take off the rose col- oured glasses," clearly indicates his frustration with no one contesting his views. I can appreciate his frustration. But then my comment is: what views? In his letter just mentioned I can read some five issues. But what are his views? For instance in his last paragraph, "Doc" Jackson tells his story as to what he saw on Friday March 20 etc. Then he writes: "...and seeing the situation made me think." But then he doesn't tell us, as readers, what he thinks! If omitting his opinion is done unwittingly, well maybe some gentle suggestion will overcome this deficiency and with more commitment on his part, "Doc" will get all the response he wants. . However, if omitting his opinion is some sly way of raising irrational and unreasonable statements, while staying himself on safe ground, then Mr. Editor, "Doc" deserves a lot more than just a response. It is my opinion that the obvious intent of "Doc's" story about "the three young males of Asian extraction" etc. is in extremely poor taste. With him talking about rose coloured glasses 1 would say that "Doc" at the time must have been wearing his green coloured ones. A number of people in the Vanastra Community are responding to the need of some 25-30 government sponsored refugees living right in Vanastra. The Vanastra (Community) Christian Church is open every Friday evening as a Refugee Fellowship Centre for all refugees in the area. This ministry of the Fellowship Centre is supported by a number of churches in the area. As Chris- tian people, we are taking seriously the Biblical question: Who is my neighbor? The centre serves a real purpose as a ministry to the social and spiritual needs of a people violently uprooted and transplated in a foreign land and culture. I invite "Doc" to come over some Friday evening and meet and talk and play ping pong with some of these so-called people of Asian extraction. I will also gladly in- troduce him to those refugees living in the apartments right across from the church. Perhaps he might want to check out himself as to how well dressed, or how poorly dressed they really are. I have found the refugees a very hospitable peo- ple, also thankful for all the help they are receiving. But what is more I have also found that they are people with a deep pride in themselves, in their culture and in the hospitality of the Canadian people. SinC,erely, Peter Mantel, minister, Vanastra (Community) Christian Church 'i'he nuracle of Spring's rebirth The quiet peace of fallen snow, The crimson sunset's afterglow, White -capped waves upon the seas, Leafy boughs and budding trees, Blossoms lifting thirsty heads, A colour blend of flowerbeds... But more than these, God's goodness brings Friends to share these lovely things!" "Friends Are Where You Find Them" points out Elizabeth M. Gerus: "Friendship is a funny thing - It simply can't be planned In just a twinkling two hearts meet And feel and understand And from that brief beginning Comes a bond so deep and true That it will last a lifetime And mean all the world to you!" Friendship is something we all have to work at everyday. "Begin the day with friendliness, Keep friendly all day long. Keep in your soul a friendly thought - In your heart a friendly song. Have in your mind a word of cheer, For all who come your way, And tney will greet you, too, in turn - And wish you a happy day." - Author Unknown Phyllis Cult Mabry gives worthy advice on how to "Be A Friend": "If we're always friends to others, If we don't forget we're brothers, Then we'll have an understanding heart to heart... 13e a friend - go on begin it, Draw a circle, bring folks in it... All it takes is one to make the circle start." Seals are the luckiest Dear Editor: I can't understand why the lowly seals are getting so much sympathy from the public in general when actually they are lucky to be seal -3.. Hunting animals and birds has been going on for centuries. Most people would say we are carnivorous so we want meat and thenatives of the north need furs for clothing. No doubt the first method used for killing the prey was the club and is still in use, if possible. I believe it is the most humane way other than gas or the needle. The Bible says we should take the young and leave the adults. That's two strikes for the little seals. The deer and moose are not as fortunate for a bullet from a hunter's gun can wound a deer and the animal could live for hours, even days after. In Ontario, hunters are permitted to use bows and a rrows..f Smaller animals have been u ly caught with a steel leg hold trap. Some froze to death, others chewed their leg off to get free..I am glad to say of late, years a new type of trap was invented which is much more humane. As for birds, let me touch on the Canada Goose. When a hunter shoots at a flock of geese, if he makes a hit it's either at a mate or a young bird: If he kills one of the adults, they never mate again and their mourning call can be heard for some time after, even years. I could go on, these are only a few in- stances in the way we have with the "fowls of the air and the beasts of the fields," So I agree, ban the seal hunt, but why leave out all the other creatures from coast to coast Even our own Wildlife Area in Huron is being turned into a hunting ground. Sincerely, Bird Watcher, Help the fight Dear Editor: During the month of April, hundreds of community minded volunteers will give of their time to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. The financial support of the public, of the service organizations and of the commercial and industrial corpora- tions is necessary to maintain research, service to patients programs and public education in the fight against cancer. In Huron County our 1981 objective is $63,000. Your help could make the difference. Would you please make your donation now. A cheque payable to the Canadian Cancer Society can be sent to the under- signed at G5 John St., Clinton, and an of- ficial receipt will be issued. Thanking you for your help, Yours sincerely, Gerry Holmes, Campaign Chairman, Clinton Branch, Canadian Cancer Society. • •