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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-12-10, Page 4THE BLYTH STANDARD) Page 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1986 The Clinton News -Record Is published mach Wednesday of P.O. Box 39, Clinton. Ontario. Canada, NOTA 160. Tel.; 403-3443. Subscription Rote; Canada • 931.00 Sr. Citizen - 010.00 per year U.S.A. foreign 990.00 per year 1t Is registered os second class mall by the post office under the permit number 0917. The Nows-Rocord incorporated In 1924 thoHuron News -Record, founded In 1011, and The Clinton News gra, founded hu 1095. Total press runs 3,700. Incorporating ANNE NAREJKO - Editor FREDA McLEOD - Office Manager SHELLEY McPHEE HAIST - Reporter DAVID EMSLIE - Reporter JANICE GIBSON - Advertising LAUREL MITCHELL - Circulation /Classified GARY HAIST - General Manager GCNA eiA MEMBER BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1985 Display advertising rates available on request. Ask for Roto Cord No. 13 effective Oc- tober 1,1904. Book destroyers are still at large Some interesting observations on the progress of human attitudes was contained in a recent issue of The Glenarry News. Throughout history, says The News, there have been people determin- ed control the minds of others. To that end they had to control the distribution and acquisition of knowledge. In this century - through the Depression, the Hitler years, the Com- munist witch hunts of the 1950s and into the 1980s - the same kind of minds have sought to destroy books which didn't match their own view of life and morality. Public book burnings still happen. Thirty teachers, librarians and booksellers in the past year have alerted the Toronto- based Book and Periodical Development Council to book -suppression ef- forts in Canada, according to a report in The Globe and Mail. But these are only the tip of the iceberg, says the council, which launched the an- nual Freedom to Read Week (October 19-26). - Recent targets of book -banners in Canada include The Diviners,' Catch-22, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Lives of Girls and Women, Sons and Lovers, Huckleberry Finn, The Mountain and the Valley, Kramer vs. Kramer, La Guerre, Yes Sire, To Kill a Mockingbird, Brave New World, Daddy Was a Numbers Runner, The Merchant of Venice, Mother Goose and Little Red Riding Hood. In Manitoba there have even been attempts to restrict students' access to Chatelaine, Ms, Self, the chidlren's magazine JAM and The Winnipeg Sun. If young minds can be corrupted by the works of Mark Twain, Mother Goose and Chatelaine, there is no hope. Perhaps young people should all be quarantined from public infection until the self-righteous book -burners of society judge them mentally mature and ready to be touched by the world. If Mother Goose was around today to answer for her heinous rhymes would she be burned at the stake -or merely flogged into correct thinking? by the Wingham Advance -Times. Let it snow, for awhile People I've talked to in the last few days seem to have mixed feelings about snow. The younger crowd, (three to about 17 years old), seem to think it's fantastic while those who are older give me the impression that they're not too keen on it. Youngsters who enjoy the snow Old Man Winter drops down on us each winter, say they like building snowmen, going tobog- ganing, helping Dad shovel the driveway - you know, all the things you once thought were fun. The older set doesn't think about these simple pleasures. When someone mentions snow they think of clearing the car off each morning and driving several miles before the steering wheel can be touched with bare hands. They think about taking boots on and off, kids tracking snow throughout the house when they run through with the white ctiIff caked on the bottoms of their pants. They think about the car not starting, shovelling the driveway and hanging Christmas lights in freezing temperatures - you know, all the things kids think are fun. I love snow - for the first few months - but then the novelty wears off. I love the way the first snowfall makes everything look bright and refreshed. The gardens that once, displayed brilliant flowers become dull until the snow falls. The trees that once carried countless leaves look sad until that first snow fall. I enjoy clearing off the car, shovelling the driveway, bundling -up, but most off all, I en- joy watching the snow fall. The perfect snowy day is when it snows all day, stops from about 4 to 6 p.m. so I can shovel the driveway and then starts again around 8 p.m. I then lite a fire and plant myself in front of a window and watch the snow falling. It's a peaceful night's entertainment. As long as I'm at home, winter storms seem to'fascinate me. Inside the house, nice and warm, I like to hear the wind at the win- dows. When I look out, I can see it blowing across the street and I know it will eventual- ly end up in a huge drift somewhere. During these storms, not a car nor a per- son can be seen on the streets. This is when the highways have been closed and the radio announcer warns pedestrians of frost bite. But by mid-January I've had my fill. I've shovelled the driveway enough times, I'm tired of clearing off the car and hanging on to a cold steering wheel and the storms have forced me to rearrange my plans one, too many times. Bundling up becomes a bother so anytime I think it is at all possible to get by without boots, I put on my shoes, only to get caught in a snow storm later that day. But for the next few months, I'm going to have fun in this weather: That is, if the car starts, my boats don't leak and the furnace keeps on supplying heat. • Reader disagrees with bill Dear Editor: Earlier this year the Huron County Coun- cil made an application to the Ontario Legislative Assembly to dissolve its Library Board on Jan. 1, 1987 and to deem the coun- cil as the County Library Board. The ap- plication in the form of a Private Member's Bill was put forward on behalf of Huron County by D.R. Reycraft, Liberal MIA representing .Middlesex. The bill known as the County of Iluron Act Pr 7 has had first reading in the Legislature and two hearings (22 and 29 October 1986) before the Standing Committee on Regula- tions and Private Bills. By a narrow margin of five to four, with the Chairman casting the deciding vote, the Standing Committee voted for the passage of the bill which is now awaiting second reading. Huron County Council's reasons for re- questing the dissolution of its Library Board are to give Council greater direct control over library affairs and to reduce the number of special purpose bodies like library and health boards. Furthermore, it is Council's perception that the Library Board has not been financially accountable. For the past five years I have served as a citizen appointee on the Huron County Library Board and as Huron's represen- tative on the Saugeen Regional Library Board. Consequently, I feel that I have a modest understanding of the system and of this issue. The Library Board has been func- tioning as a semi autonomous body in the county for the past two years. Prior to this time it worked as a committee of County Council with recommendations going for- ward to the Council for ratification. The Council's view that it lacks meaningful in- put into the decision making on the Library Board is not entirely correct. The legislation ( Public Libraries Act 1984) which put so called autonomous library boards in place provided for careful checks and balances. The structure of the board is-su! that four members of Council are placed on the Board as well as three citizen appointees, these ap- pointments being made annually. Clearly it is the County Council which has the power to assess and to put in place the kind of people they deem suitable for the board. A precen- Lattars it is Council which approves the Library Board's yearly budgets on a line to line basis. These limitations notwithstanding, I believe that there has been a good working relationship between council placements and citizen appointees; the Board appears to be more homogeneous than it was under the former committee structure. The County Couhcil, however, is now seek- ing legislation to dissolve this board struc- ture. D.J. Murphy, solicitor for the County at the hearings conducted by the Standing Committee stated that the passage of the bill would result in only "cosmetic changes". He added, "I would say in conclu- sion that the overwhelming majority of the people in Huron County who are represented by the people on County Council wish that the library board become a committee of County Council, and that is why we are here." Hopefully this perception is wrong. The people of Huron County will not be well served by the dissolution of the board and the return to the former committee structure. Serious issues such as freedom of access to information and censorship are hest dealt with at arms length from the County political process. The potential for productive change in the library system can best be realized through the retention and ref inement.of the existing board structure. On Dec. 17, 1986, Huron County Act Pr 7 is being returned to the Standing Committee for further input and study, an action which the clerk of the assembly termed un- precedented; This action presents the last opportunity for the concerned citizens of Huron County to register their objections. Objections should be directed in writing to the clerk, Standing Committee on Regula- tions & Private Bills, Queens Park, Toronto, M7A 1A2. Objections in writing or by telephone should also be directed to the mayors, reeves and to The Honourable Jack iddel1• dent was set early that the chairman of this "The passage of bill Pr 7, which will body be a councillor; since inception the two significantly diminish a democratic pro - apparent chairmen have been former wardens. it is cess, isregressive,moutof step with te times that the voting structure precludes and unworthy of a government which prides the passing of library policy which is alien to in being forward looking. the interests of County Council. Moreover, itselfR.P. ng. Wingham the Board is financially accountable in that Crowd . must show appreciation. Dear Editor: Does Clinton not appreciate their talent? I had the pleasure of attending the play. Lover's Leap, last week which, in my opi- nion, was well done and superior to some professional plays in the area. Ting will be new weekly feature HERE UlF COME " Merle Randolph Tingley was born in Montreal. Hardly anyone calls him Merle Randolph; he's affectionately known as "Ting". Ting graduated from Montreal High School, but his editor says he can spell anything but words. That's why he draws pictures for a living. He did take an art course, but left after one year to become a draughtsman. That career was short-lived when he doodled a worm into a building plan. Apparently, engineers don't like worms in foundations of their solid structures. (Today, "Luke Worm" appears hidden in all of Ting's car- toons and readers of all ages enjoy the dai- ly challenge of unearthing the little critter with the corncob pipe.) With Hitler on the warpath, Tingley join- ed the army in 1942. Shortly after, His Ma- jesties Canadian Forces were looking for a cartoonist to enhance the army magazine Khaki. Ting got the job. Later he was transferred overseas to serve on the forces daily, The Maple Leaf. The art department of an advertising agency picked him up after the war, but the cartoon bug had bitten and you can't have much fun with beans, soap and deodorants. Hitting the road on a second-hand motor bike he visited newspapers from coast to coast, but to no avail. The would-be car- toonist took a job as a photo -retoucher at The London Free Press in 1947. Two mon- ths later he wormed himself into the first ree Piress carloo t's,4job, He's still ''there. Ting cartoons are,uow syndicated to a number of daily and rveekly,papers across Canada. Never having lost his ties with the troops Tingley has entertained our peace -keeping forces in Korea, the Mideast, the Congo, Cyprus and Europe. Added to this, are two missions to the Pacific and the Far East sponsored, by the American government. Among his many laurels are 15 national and international awards including five for humorous writing. Two children's books and eight volumes of his Free Press car- toons add to his credits. As a designer for London's fantasy park, Storybook Gardens, Ting has been on the advisory committee sihce it's inception in 1958. Merle Randolph Tingley has one wife, Genie, two sons, two eats, and a dog, and of course, Luke Worm. I was disappointed that the aumence did not give them a standing ovation which would not only have encouraged the players but would have been an incentive to those folks who missed it to attend the neat one. A Clintonian Got an opinion? Write a letter to the editor ShIIey MCPhQQ Jlaist Christmas traditions Cozied up with a cup of Earl Grey Tea and the December issue of one of my favorite magazines last night. I love Earl Grey Tea. I love Christmas magazines. I can't pass by a news stand these days without browsing through the variety of magazines that are on the rack. -I always buy one. I'm a magazine junky. The night table by my bed is piled high with the last six mon- ths' copies of Chatelaine, Maclean's, Rolling Stone, Vogue, McCall's Needlework, Coun- try Living and Ms. I collect magazines I pack them away in boxes. I keep them on hand for recipes. I mark interesting articles that could provide information for colun)ns or stories that I may be working on. The December issues of my favorite magazines are stored away with my Christmas decorations, to be brought out every year along with the tinsel and tree top angel. Christmas magazines are filled with such good things. I love the articles that give all sorts of neat ideas for gift giving. I read the celebrity profiles when they talk about their best Christmas ever. I study the holiday decorating how-to's and experiment with new festive recipes that are outlined in the magazine. All was fine and well last night as I settled in with my tea and my magazine. Fine and well until I got halfway through my cup of tea, and, halfway through the magazine. "More Dare" the article was called. It at- tempted to show contemporary ways to create Christmas sparkle. One interpretive tree 'showed three graduated sized boxes pil- ed on top of .one another, decorated with a huge red bow. That wasn't so bad. The next was a leafless birch tree branch, stuck in a clay pot and covered with odd shaped triangle things. It was ugly. Lastly was pic- tured a wire -frame pyramid decorated with bunches of cellophane bags. The High Techies can have their boxes, dead trees and wire cones at Christmas - but give me tradition. And so I carried on with my reading. The photo display on the folk -art Christmas was fine. I rather liked the Victorian styled Christmas tree, decked out with strands of pearls and white lace ribbon. The gold lame Christmas wreath wasn't too bad, but the turkey feather wreath was more than I could take. I turned up my nose in disgust. Tossed the magazine to the floor, turned out the light and went to sleep. This magazine will not be among the ones that I keep. I'm a tried and true traditionalist when it comes to Christmas. Don't give me any flash or dash, new ideas or change. I want Christmas to be the way it always has been. Innovative and progressive as our society may be, there are some things that need to remain the same. Christmas should be that. Don't give me turkey feather wreaths to hang on my door, I want swags of cedar garland and pine cone wreaths. Don't give me a dried up birch branch and call it a Christmas tree, I want a sweet smelling pine, the kind that drops needles all over the living room floor. Don't give me any fancy dancy gourmet dinners. I want turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sage dressing and shortbread cookies. Just the other day my mother, my sister and I were discussing this year's Christmas nay dinner menu. -Let's try a new salad this year," Mum suggested. My sister and I balked at the idea. "I want Raspberry Whip", said my sister. "I want the salad with the pineapple, the sour cream and the walnuts. That's my favorite," I said. ,"But, we've had that sgla'd for the past 20 years," moaned my mother. That's right, we have, and there's no reason why we have to change things. The Christmas menu must be the same every year. Christmas is a time to honor long held family rituals. It is a time to join together in celebration of beloved traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation, from century to century. Our family's Christmas celebrations are steeped in tradition, from the ragged little angel that tops our Christmas tree, to the special ornaments that hang from the branches. At Christmas we love to retell the stories that we've grown up with - about the time that the cat ate the turkey; about the Christmas that it stormed; about the Christmas that we secretly tape recorded the gift opening event. We never tire of these family recollec- tions, as we never tire of our traditional Christmas Day meal, or watching Alister Sim's The Christmas Carol on TV. In the same way, we find peace, tran- quillity and reassurance in hearing the story of Jesus' birth, and singing age old carols. These special customs are more than superficial rituals. This is a time of year when we recount, recollect and renew. We welcome our simple traditions with open arms, for they help to restore our faith and remind us of greater values in life. You can have your modern day nonsense, but don't dare try to change my Christmas. I like it just the way it is. • WEEKLY 9WEATHE19R 1HI LO HI LO 3 -2 3 -9 3 0 -3 -2 -5 1 -4 0 -3 22 -7 -91 -2 1 -8 1 -3 DEC. 2 4 5 6 7 8 Rain 15 mm Snow 11 cm Snow 5 cm •