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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-11-21, Page 4(TtiE BLYTH STANDARD) Page 4;- O1; 'rON MVO -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21,1984 Oat Outsets 1001r s .d is Frobilatiad ®a1 alt P.O. ion 49• Clinton. Ontario. 11O, Tri.: 403.3U3. i.0140A-.$10.83f vow 11.$-$.1r0!iyn- 333.00 por TOW 11 • 0000001,0010 -I W flit• flak$ Oka t/4.34a *b ;wont, n49111iOnr 011. Thr rap a 100003tOniaatt iw 12 14 1Nal Owen soon ..Ronpad, foanpdrd it 11iY1. ford, Ono CHroon strain eta. fonnllyd is 1343. Toni prom mot 3.700. Incorporating Jo HOWARD AITKEN - Publisher SHELLEY McPHEE - Editor GARY HAIST - Advertising Manager MARY ANN HOLLENSECK - Office Manager CCNA „Gm MEMBER MEMBER D14o1ev •dvortisln/ rotes evadable on rawest. Ask for Rete Cord. No. 14 affective October I, 1348. "A. truly educated man should one language" speak more than Dear Editor: How refreshing and encouraging to read letters from Bill Metcalfe and Gregory Pillon upholding bilingualism. After reading so many misinformed bigot - ted, ignorant letters on the subject, it is a relief to know all Canadians are not so stupid. Had our forefathers been more far- sighted, we would all be speaking French and English as our two founding cultures should, thus enriching our great in- heritance. These are the two international languages of the world. 'At the inauguration of Lord Tweedsmuir (John Buchan) as Governor General of Canada in 1935, Archdeacon Scott said, "Lord Tweedsmuir spoke in English and French, thus recognizing the dual nature of our great land." A generation of students fluent in both English and French would be a huge boast to the future of out country. It would be a blow to separatism, which I am sure nobody in his or her senses wants. It would be a blow to the silly pettiflogging jealousies which now exist. We say we want peace in the world, yet are too small minded to see we are obstructing it right in our own backyard. With all this faults, Trudeau had a vision which would have made us unique before the world. He did not suffer fools galdy like those he must deal with who objected to French on cereal boxes! Pity our souls are so small minded! It had nothing to do with politics what- soever, if we hadn't made it so. Education was the reason only. From the standpoint of eduction, let us regard the fact that a truly educated man should speak more than one language. One is humiliated and ashamed if on travelling in other countries one is con- fronted by folk speaking six or seven languages, and who gaze with surprise and amazement that someone from Canada speaks only one, and that one English, where opportunity for at least French should have been natural. The stupidity of accusing Trudeau of turn- ing Canada into a French nation, I suppose, should be ignored, yet one cannot but feel, "It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." In Sweden it is compulsory for a child entering school to study English in Grade 1. In Grade 2 he has a choice between French of German, in Grade 3 he takes the one he didn't choose in Grade 2. By the time he reaches secondary school, this student speaks two languages well, a third fairly well and has a working knowledge of a fourth language. In others words. fluency and a working knowledge of four languages. French used to be compulsory - why of all things should it not be so now? People should fight the ugly backload of racism, for that sadly enough is what a lot of anti -bilingualism is all about - the ugly words - hate, racism and bigotry. The member of our town council who wishes to have his English remark replied to in English in Quebec will have no difficulty I can assure him - but he cannot speak Fren- ch. Sincerely, E. Fingland, Clinton. Baby Fae - a service to medicine Dear Editor: I just heard on the news last night that Baby Fae - the infant carrying a baboon's heart - had died of kidney failure. Her death saddened me. I had hoped for a longer convalencense - but I also realized realistically that -she may not live long. Peo- ple who had hoped the same should not be dismayed and become bitter over the "ethics" of the. situation for it's done a great service to the research of transplants of this kind. The wisdom and knowledge gained by the doctors involved will be valuable. Some people have called it a heartless ex- periment - that Baby Fae had suffered needlessly etc. Well I have a healthy three month old and I guess it would be easy to say the same. But if Baby Fae were my daughter, I would have done the something. Any hope, any chance, any straw I could grasp I would. I would be willing to allow this to happen to my baby. Why? Because I would make sure she was sedai°mind com- fortable - I would be actively involved in her care from A to Z :.. that would have given me peace of mind and some sense of control. Mr. Brian Mulroney, Prune Minister, Ottawa. And I would .know deep down in my heart that if all this effort doesn't help my little girl then perhaps somehow, somewhere it would eventually help some other mom and her little girl or boy. After you've carried a child for nine months in your womb you don't give up fighting for their life in any way you can. Let's not be quick to criticize the dod'tors involved. We've wanted them to be "gods" and do the perfect things, say and think perfectly too long now. It's time we faced reality. Let's be quick to help and act positively. Many of us can offer extensions of life to other needy patients with organ failures by donating our own at death. It's a Wonderful way of supporting the Baby Faes and the grown-up Faes in this world. I'm proud to have signed the donor slip ori my driver's license and I want to encourage others to do the same. This is much more productive than dismay, bitterness and criticism. The way I see it anyway.... signed, Coby Amoraal, Bayfield Behind The Scones By Keith. Roulston Jut right for the job) Dear sir, While I must congratulate you on the open-mindedness of naming socialist Stephen Lewis as ambassador to the United Nations I must admit some disappointment. I had hoped you might he really innovative and appoint me. Now I know that outwardly I might not a p - pear to have the qualifications for the job but I'm sure I'd be up to it. Can the fighting between the Russians and the Afghans real- ly be any more vicious than the fighting that goes on in my kitchen every night about. whose turn it is to do the dishes? Can the squabbling between the Israelis and .the • Palestinians about who was really in Palestine first really be any worse than the fighting about which child got to the bathroom door first? Can the U.S. and Nicaragua scream at each other any louder than two children who want to answer the phone when it rings? I tell you, Mr. Prime Minister, a father of four children has more experience being a peacekeeper than the entire United Nations General Assembly. In international disputes there are generally two sides to every ques- tion. In household disputes there can be four, or even six if mom and dad have their .own views of what has happened or what should happen. Since you've already filled the position at the U.N. however, perhaps you'd consider me the next time an opening comes up on the bench of the Supreme Court. I know I'm not a lawyer (if I was I'd probably already be sitting in parliament) but I think I could aI.Idoscope According to information from The Vancouver Province, wages -.on average in British Columbia are about 15 per cent lower than in eastern Canada. How do your wages compare to this listing, published by The Province? Some wages included: Chief Executive Officer, Seagrams - $1,148,000; Wayne Gretzky - est.$800,000; top B.C. doctor - $684,119; average B.C. doctor - $150,000; computer programmer - $30,312; nurse - $28,500; constable, one year - $26,988; teacher - $24,840; garbage collector - $21,203; executive secretary - $20,073; bank clerk - $16,250; cocktail waitress - $15,815; minimum wage worker - $6,643; Catholic priest - $3,600. Another way to calculate whether you're earning enough is by using this simple solution - financial success is when you earn more than your kids can spend! +++ Spend, spend, spend - that's one of the unpleasantries of the festive season. By Shelley McPhee More importantly, Christmas is a time to give. With a little extra thought, imagination and time, you can still find worthwhile ways to give, without spending an arm and a leg. Worthwhile charities and groups appreciate donations of any type. Whether it be used clothing for the Goodwill Truck, toys for White Gift Sunday, knitted hats and scarves for the Christmas Bureau or small financial contributions to your favorite charity - this is the kind off giving that really counts. In past years staffers at the Clinton News - Record have always exchanged gifts. This year we've come to the realization that we don't need to give token gifts to one another. So, instead of fretting and fussing about gift buying, we're combining our efforts and making a donation to Family and Children's Services. We believe it's a worthwhile gesture that will be much appreciated. Perhaps vmir grown nr ctaff chnailrl consider this same type of giving. + + -I- Christmas bazaar season is almost at an end. In Clinton, the St. Joseph's Catholic Women's League (CWL) held their annual bazaar on Nov. 17 and three local women went home with draw winnings. Mrs. B. Sootheran of Clinton, Mary Melady of Seaforth and Alma Jewitt Df RR 4 Clinton were the lucky three. CWL members thank everyone who took part in the draws and also those who donated articles, crafts, baking and everyone who attended. + + + On Nov. 14 there were nine tables of euchre in play at the Knights of Columbus match, held -in St. Joseph's Hall, Clinton. Winners included: ladies' high, Lee Gliddon; men's high, Omerine Watkins; ladies' low, Wilma McMichael; men's low, Evelyn Christensen; lucky chair, Agnes Carbett; lone hands, Jeremy Ten Hag; door. prize, John Van Den Elzen. bring some unique experiences to the deliberations. For one thing, the histrionics of lawyers pleading for their cases would seem pretty simple compared to the antics thata son can conte up with to get his side of an argument. The complications of a case before the supreme court can't be any more mind- boggling than trying to decide which of three different versions of how a , fight started in another room is the proper one. If you choose one side, two other people will wail about the injustice of it all, how you always let so-and-so get away with everything and how you don't really love them when did Bora Miskin have to listen to that argument? ). Pressures of the job? How about the pressures of making decisions at a rate of about four an hour when the kids are home, knowing full well that someone is going to think he or she is a victim of injustice no matter what side you come down on. You've listened to all those experts tell you for years the importance of being firm but just with children, of not creating traumatic situations for children. Knowing that in any given argument you've got a 50-50 chance of coming down on the wrong side you can see yourself creating an anti -social rebel who'll someday rob a bank or write naughty, disgusting things in lipstick on the washroom mirror at school and when caught, will fall on the sympathy of the court' saying how he/she was abused and misunderstood at home. Now I know I'm a little young for the Supreme Court compared to the usual age of candidates but believe me, by the next time there's an opening, say next year, I'll feel like I'm 73. Yours sincerely, etc. Here's looking at ewe agar and Spica by James Friel No one to whine to .One of the worst things about being a widower and living alone is that there's no one to whine to when one becomes ill. One can sit or lie around feeling pretty ghastly, but there isn't much fun in it unless one can moan and groan and clutch one's belly and hack and cough and wipe away the sweat of a fever, with an audience. That's why I've been particularly frustrated for the past week or so. What's the point of staying in bed to get over your illness when there's nobody to br- ing you hot lemonade, fluff up the pillows, and put a cool hand on your brow? You might as well get up, paddle down in bare feet, survey the desert of dirty dishes, scummy pots and greasy pans, pick up the mail and file all the bills, and pour yourself a medicinal potion. This week, I was about to go out on my first date in a year: a dinner date with a lady. When I called and told her she'd have to take a raincheck because I wasn't well, it was more like old times. She was even less sympathetic than my wife used to be. She . didn't believe a word I said'. Anyway, we patched it up, and I think she's going to bring her boyfriend along when we fix a new date. A bit down, I sought solace in the written word. Recently, I wrote a column including a coupleof hate letters. After burning these, I dug out some others, which cheered me so much that I decided I deserved another medicinal potion. The only people who seem to like me any more are my former students. Nice, warm By Bill Smiley letter from Julie Noack, who has gone off for a year's immersion in French at Mont- pellier. She has discovered French bureaucracy, balconies, bread, and bidets. She had to ask a boyfriend what the last was, and was properly embarrassed. Any red-blooded Canadian, knows that a bidet is either a foot -bath or a baby -bath. Bill Jory, another old student, wrote a laudatory article about yours truly in the weekend edition of the London Free Press, where he is a reporter. an , Bill sat with me for an hour one afternoon and we chatted. In his story, he 'said my manner was "brusque but avuncular". That sounds pretty good, but when I taught him, he couldn't spell "brisk and uncle," so I don't know whether he knows what those words mean. At any rate, he did learn something from those boring English classes. He learned to back up general statements with specific references. I was am:.zed. He'd contacted other writers, syndicate boss, weeklies us- ing this column. Twenty years ago, he was' out in my backyard, helping to put together the annual yearbook, at the picnic table. And, despite my deep fear that nobody would ask me to speak on Remembrance Day this year, I was wrong. Another former student, Bob Coghill, asked me to speak to his public school kids: "For all my years as a student, the, most meaningful Remem- brance Day assembly was the one when you spoke of your feelings of that day." Thanks, Bob. Perhaps I shouldn't say only former students 'cheered me up. I had couple of terrific notes this week. From Doris Senicar of Milton comes a missive saying she met a cousin of mine, Kaye Thomson, who was playing in the band at her niece's anniversary dance in Saskat- chewan. They got talking and. Cousin Kaye sent along a card. I've never met her but she's a genuine first cousin. Hi, Kaye. Hi, all the Saskatoon cousins. Sorry I didn't make the reunion. And another note from Mary and Ron Hunt that warmed the cockles: "We were quite thrilled to discover that Bill Smiley ... lived here. We have driven by the 'big, brick house' frequently, and I always crane my neck trying to see you – or some of your family. Lucky people who have met you – who have had children taking English from you." I agree, Mary, about the latter, but thousands wouldn't about the former. She goes on, "Any chance of you agreat iti g an autobiography – incorporating' deal of your articles? I would stand in line for one ... Thank you, Bill, for touching our heart strings and our funny bones. Please keep it up – and think about a book." Lovely lady, I think about a book all the time, but all I do is read one. , Well, there. Somebody loves me, and I feel a lot better. I guess the reassurance helps, though it seems self-seeking. Its just a year ago that my wife died, and to all those dim- witted people who go around nodding sagely and saying "It takes a year; it takes a year," I say Phooey. Grea t things planned for town hall Letter Tp The Editor: To Clinton and area residents: Seven months ago the idea of organizing and planning ceremonies commemorating the re -opening of the Town of Clinton Town Hall seemed somewhat elusive and even dif- ficult to picture. However after seven mon- ths of numerous meetings, telephone calls, community liaison and planning the Town of Clinton truly celebrated the Grand Re - Opening of their Town Hall complex. Everything from the off -beat comedy of Bob Mann to Children's Theatre were part of this major community event. The Town of Clinton Town Hall steering c6mmittee would like to take this opportuni- ty to thank all those Clinton and area residents who attended any of the Grand Re - Opening Program events. It was through your enthusiasm and participation that this once in a lifetime event proved to be such a tremendous success. The steering commit- tee also extends a heartfelt note of apprecia- tion to those individuals and groups con- tributing to the staging of this event. This type of community spirit can only be interpreted as a sign come! Thanks. of great things to Town Hall Steering Committee Gift of Life appreciated Dear Editor: On behalf of the Red Cross and the Kinette Club of Clinton I would like to convey our thanks to everyone who helped to make our Blood Donor Clinic a success. We had 219 people attend and collected 190 pints of blood. Thank you to Central Huron Secondary School for the facilities, the custodians for setting up and cleaning up, and to the students who assisted in unloading the truck. Thank you to the Beta Sigma Phi- for telephoning, Huron & Erie Beverages for donating the Coke, and Clinton Public Hospital for donating the ice. A special thank -you to Katirnavik, the volunteers who helped and especially all those who donated the "Gift of Life". With sincere thanks, Service Chairperson, Itinette Club of Clinton, Cheryl Rohner