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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-10-14, Page 4Page 4 —CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1987 The Clinton Hews -Record Is published each Wednesday et P.O. Sox 29, Clinton. Ontario. Canada. NOM 11.0. Tali 402-9442. Subscription Rate: Canada -!21.00 8r. Citizen • 418.00 per year U.S.A. foreign 488.00 per year 19 is registered as second class mall by the post office under the permit number 0817. The News -Record incorporated in 1924. the Huron News -Record. founded In 1881, and The Clin- ton News Era. founded In 1863. Total press runs 9,700. Incorporating THE BLYTH STANDARD 1 � ANNE CHISHOLM - Editor FREDA McLEOD - Office Manager SHELLEY McPHEE-HAIST - Reporter DAVID EMSLIE - Reporter GAYLE KING - Advertising SANDRA BELL - Circulation/Classified GARY HAIST - General Manager &A MEMBER MEMBER Qy� BLUE BIBBON AWARD 1987 Display advertising rates available on request. Ask for Rate Card No. 1 t effective Oc- tober 1, 1984. Think of the less fortunate every day, especially World Food Day Friday, October 16 was proclaimed a World Food Day in Bayfield. It is appropriate that following Thanksgiving weekend when families unite and sit down to enjoy turkey dinners with all the trimmings, that they should be reminded of the less fortunate people all over the world. Famine and starvation have aroused public awareness during the past few years, but even so it is still very difficult to envisage what it is like to be really hungry and to have to watch friends and loved ones die of star- vation and malnutrition. Think for a moment of children and grandchildren more than adequate- ly fed in today's society - often sad to say, grossly overweight. They have free access to food cupboards, refrigerators as well as ample and nutritious meals - not"to mention snacks, candies, cookies, ice cream and popcorn. It is just a matter of imagining the cupboards and fridge being empty - for there are no cupboards or fridges - just empty people, weakened and despairing. So why not make a point on Friday next of reminding everyone in the family of what it might be like, consider every mouthful consumed not on- ly for its satisfying content, but also the quantity and abundance, so often far in excess of what is required. There are many organizations working hard under extremely difficult conditions, endeavoring to relieve the misery and deprivation. Choose one, and as an awareness touches you with every mouthful at every meal resolve to make a contribution. World Food Day is just one day in the year on which we are reminded of the many suffering human beings who desperately need help, but perhaps, it may also generate a resolve not on- ly to give, but throughout the year make some little sacrifices in order to expand the scope and extent of giving.—by Helen Owen. UCW call for ban on war toys Dear Editor: I am writing for the Auburn United Church Women, we were shown a film the other night which made us think. It was "Toys are for Fun (not for fighting) it was produced by CCAVE (Canadians Concerned about Violence in Entertainment). We know that practically all children have war toys. We did not know that between 1982 - '85 - the sale of war toys increased by 350 percent. Out of the six top selling toys five of them are war toys. They are Transformers, Master of the Universe, (robots, Voltron and G.I. Joe. In the last few years most toy advertising has been for various war toys. It is estimated that the average North American child sees around 800 advertisements of violent toys on TV in a year. Various com- panies have cartoon series on TV that are free advertisement of their toys. The average child sees around 250 episodes of war cartoon&yearly. The mass media born - bard children with images of war toys in full color advertisements in catalogues, flyers, and on TV. We feel that war toys have limited play value. Their potential for helping a child with daily living is questionable. Violent toys are bound to effect the way that children play as they encourage aggressiveness. There is a game "Dungeons and Dragons with a medieval warfare setting. This game has been implicated in at least 45 suicides and murders in North America. One of these was the double murder of a young brother and sister in Orangeville, Ontario by a teenage "D. & D." player. Just before the Los Angeles earthquake I heard about the city of Burbank, Cal. order- ing that there be no more sale of replica hand guns. They were so similar to the real weapon that too many hold-ups etc. were be- ing done with them. Now, we have the same thing only worse! In Brantford, Ontario a police officer shot Ltters and killed a young man whom he thought had a real revolver. It was only a toy. Isn't it time they were not for sale? Many educators are very concerned'about the increasing sale of toy military weapons for young children. They notice that in classroom and playground these toys en- courage violent, aggressive behavior and language. They show little consideration, cooperation or kindness in their play. Should they have hand guns, tanks and space weapons to play with? Some countries are already doing something about this war toy sale. In Sweden a voluntary agreement to curb the sale and advertisement of war toys was reached. In Austria recommendations to ban them has been signed by different groups. Toy dealers in West Germany responded favorably to a request by the Minister of Justice to support a bait for the sale of them. There was an article in the paper recently about a new TV show "Captain Power" the first interactive TV program. What do the children want - the pricey toys so they can participate. 1t shows that "Violent fun is O.K. for the good guys". Isn't that a dangerous attitude? What can we do about this? Parents, Grandparents and friends can cease buying war toys and encourage the children to play with other toys. Our government should follow the example of other countries and ban the sale of some of these toys. Could you, Editor, do more investigation on this subject and bring it to the eyes and ears of the public? Thank you. Sincerely, Auburn United Church Women. 147 countries mark Food Day Dear Editor: October 16 is World Food Day. It is celebrated yearly in commemoration of the founding, 42 years ago, of the United Na- tions Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O.I in Quebec City. Over 147 countries around the world com- memorate World Food Day by reflecting on the importance of global hunger and food problems. The Ontario World Food Day Co- Ordinating Committee is a coalition of voluntary and private sector organizations and government agencies, such as UNICEF, Red Cross and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. This year the Ontario World Food Day Co- Ordinating Committee wishes to focus on the future of food production technology and the role of the small-scale food producers. Canadians have an efficient food - producing industry and enough money to import vast volumes and varieties of food which are not produced in Canada. In con- trast, many parts of the world suffers food shortages, black market prices and starva- tion. Civil wars rage because poor men and women are fighting for land reform and the right to produce food on their own acre or two. There is no simple answer to these pro- blems. Canada is a relatively young nation with a stable government. It is a rich nation blessed with resources which are the envy of most other countries. Canada is highly in - ShQIIQy McPhee llaist Bittersweet autumn October is a special month in my books. It is a meaningful, bittersweet time of year that brings with it a raft of memories, emo- tions and thoughts. It was in October that Gary and I were married. It was in October that my father died. In October my husband was born. In October my best friend was married. In October my dear grandmother celebrates her 91st birthday. When I look out of the window of this autumn day, I think of all these things. It's a typical fall day. It's cold and damp. It has been raining and dreary. Dark shadows threaten to cover the countryside, but the sun persistantly keeps poking through the dark banks of clouds. Leaves are falling from trees. It's a season of contradiction and time of change. October brings with it a blast of cold weather, the threat of frost and the first snow of the season. And October brings delightfully warm, sunny days - weather that is cherished in anticipation of the long winter ahead. Trees are ablaze with color and autumn splendor is an awesome sight, but the leaves must fall and we face the tedious job of gathering them. We lament the end of summer. We eagerly anticipate the coming of Christmas, now less than three months away. We celebrate the harvest and feast with family and friends at Thanksgiving. The changing of the seasons depresses some people. It fills me with renewed vigor. dustrialized and new technology has been widely applied in farming. But many Cana- dian farmers today are in serious economic difficulty, an easy fact to overlook in rela- tion to the world's other agricultural problems. Many Canadian farmers in 1987 are worse off than they were in 1983, caught in a vicious cost -price squeeze, the result of a damaging grain trade war between the U.S. and the countries of the European Economic Community. U.S. and E.E.C. farmers are highly subsidized. Ironically, it is our largest and most productive farmers who are suffering the most. The Canadian government has developed programs to help keep them in production because it would be a major disaster if our main food production base is seriously eroded. We are not in danger of experiencing food shortages today, but it's not impossible in the future. Through increased awareness and efforts to address the situation, it is still possible for the world to feed itself and for our farmers to have a decent standard of living. World Food Day on October 16 brings these issues to the forefront; a solution to food production and world hunger must be found; our international survival depends on it. Within, I feel a stirring, the need to move on to prepare for the winter. I busily freeze and can fruits and vegetables. Woollen sweaters and blankets are retrieved from their moth ball storage. Flannette sheets go on the bed. Lawn chairs are stored in the basement. I regrettfully turn on the furnace. It seems like the final act, the final defeat towards the cold season ahead. Yet, how cosy, how warm it feels to be nestled in my house on a blustery autumn night. It seems that I am not unlike the squirrel as I work to prepare for the onset of winter. I delight in autumn's unique beauty, of the changing colors of the trees, of steel blue skies, of freshly ploughed fields, of mums and zinnias boasting their last vibrant displays. I love to bite into a juicy new apple. I relish the thoughts of spicy pumpkin pie, baked squash, roast turkey and sweet turnips. Summertime foods - cool salads and barbecued meats have lost their appeal. I. am possessed with the need to make beef stew, to eat warm tea biscuits, dripping with melted honey. Autumn has its rituals that I acknowledge. I hang a bunch of Indian corn from my door. I attend fall bazaars in the community, and I listen for the sounds of Canada Geese flying overhead. Fall beckons me to knit warm mittens and hats for winter, yet the lingering warm weather entices me out-of-doors. There are spring flower bulbs to be planted and the last of my herb garden to be harvested. Gardens must be cleaned out, leaves raked, the car washed and waxed for the last time this season. Still, the autumn ambition alludes me. A warm fall day seems wasted on work. Greater pleasure is to be found in tossing a red spotted ball with my daughter, or taking her for a walk along leaf laden streets. She is infatuated with the bright colors of the leaves and the crunchy sound they make when her small feet step on them. I am easi- ly taken back to my own childhood when I took equal delight in shuffling my feet through piles of leaves. Do I dare rake up a huge heap of leaves so Caylan and I can jump in them? October, it's a sweet and nostalgic month, a little sad too. I'm reminded of the Teeswater Fall Fair and the sweet memories of that grand an- nual fall outing as a young girl with my family. I am reminded of my beautiful wedding day some six years ago. It remains one of the most joyous memories in my lifetime. I'm reminded of the death of my father one year ago, and, the saddest day of my life. Joy and sorrow, beginnings and endings all play an important part in my autumn thoughts. It is a time of year that I can never casually overlook. Summer has ended and while I am reluc- tant to accept that fact, I await with great anticipation the changing of the season. The days bring back sweet memories and sad reminders of the past. Yet I am encouraged and hopeful about the future. Autumn - a time of change, a time of knowing that many things endure and a time of remembering beginnings and endings. 1T 5 CoMFoRTING To K(JOW (1)A1INGTonJ FEELS ACID RAI14 DAMAGE Iii 50 MUCH BUNK 1 —2, Sincerely yours, Marilyn J. Sanders Chairman, Ontario World Food Day Coordinating Committee EEIRLY FILES 5 years ago October 13, 1982 Sloman Railway Car Is Coming - On Oc- tober 22, Clinton's very own railway car will be arriving at Sloman Memorial Park. The old CNR 15089 is no ordinary railway car, but was used for more than 39 years as an unique school on wheels in isolated nor- thern Ontario. Operated by the Fred Sloman family of Clinton, the 15089 travelled over more than 149 miles of CNR line in northern Ontario, teaching school to hundreds of youngsters and adults. Tuckersmith Opposes Seaforth Arena Costs - Tuckersmith Township Council has refused to approve the proposed operating budget of $21,884 for the new Seaforth Disrict Community Centre for the two- month period -November 1 to December 31, 1982. Council was unanimous in agreeing that the operating deficit of $9,719 proposed in the budget was unrealistic for two months. Education Board Approves Closed Meeting Discussions - The director of educa- tion for the Huron County Board of Educa- tion has been given the authority to decide whether items of board business go to com- mittee or the whole board first. At its October meeting, the board rescind- ed a previous motion which had all board business brought directly to the board first. Recently the board made the change from having all board business referred to com- mittee first to having it referred to the board. 10 years ago October 13, 1977 Outlook Looks Gloomy For Farmers - The gloomy outlook for Huron County's farming community continues to get even gloomier with each cloudy, rainy day and as the mid- dle of October draws near, many farmers and agricultural officers are saying that the fall of 1977 will go down as the worst in re- cent memory, if not the last 100 years. Already, nearly everyone has given up any hopes of getting any more of Huron's $15 million bean crop off and losses will hit at least $10 million in Huron County alone, as persistant rain, cloudy skies, and cool temperatures continue to hamper harvest conditions. Not only is the 75 percent bean crop lost, but the corn harvest is falling behind and less than 25 percent of the winter wheat crop is sown. Henaall Doctor Has Delivered 1,400 Babies - Dr. John Goddard of Hensall was always a good listener. As a result, he dispensed comforting words as often as prescriptions during the 30 year practice that ended in March. In course of that time he helped bring 1,400 babies into the world. On September 18 many of them came with their own children to a party in his honor at the Pineridge Chalet. New Block Parent Program - Parents who are aware the dangers on the street for the young child in our society with its in- creasing violence have found reassurance in an innovative child -protection program which is bringing a new sense of security to neighborhoods throughout the country. White cards with day-glo red lettering pic- turing a child, hand in hand with an adult, are clearly displayed in front room windows in at least two homes on each block. This symbol of the Block Parent Program represents protection to the child on the street if he is hurt, frightened or lost. 25 years ago October 11, 1962 Band Is Ready For Big Day Here Sunday - The last of the arrangements have been made and the Clinton Community Concert and Marching Band is ready for the visit of St. Marys Marching Band. After the prac- tice last Tuesday night, George Wonch, musical 'director, said that his band was ready to put on the best in music for Sunday. His trumpet section will be complete, which makes him sure of a musical success. Shoots Moose In First Try On Hunting Trip - Local hunter, Mervyn Batkin reports a successful holiday trip 300 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie with a party of five. He shot a 17 -point moose on October 2. Mr. Batkin, who lives at 75 Rattenbury Street, East, says it was his first experience at moose -calling, but the animal answered his call at about 7 p.m., came out of the bush at 7:35, and met death from some of Merv's re -loaded shells shot from a .303 rifle. The animal was butchered on the spot, and was carried out of the bush, one quarter at a time. Mr. Batkin reports a horn spread of 50.5 inches. New Auburn Hall Opening Program On Friday Night - The official opening of the Auburn Community Memorial Hall will be held on Friday, October 12. There will be program, lunch and dancing. Admission - Adults $1.00; children 50c. 50 years ago October 14, 1962 Car For West To Be Loaded October 21-22 - The committee in charge of collecting and loading the car of fruit, vegetables, etc., for those unfortunate folk in the West, who have again lost their crops through drought, met in the town hall on Tuesday evening. It was decided to load the car on October 21 and 22. We who live in this part of Canada have been blessed with bountiful crops, and the committee is anxious that all people should have a share in helping our unfortunate brothers in Saskatchewan. Trains In Collision - A brakeman suffered a broken wrist, passengers were shaken up and some damage to the roadbed and equip- ment was caused here on Monday afternoon when the mail car of the Goderich-Stratford train sideswiped the mail car of the passenger train bound from Wingham to London. Little Locals - The ball game between Brigden and Clinton may be played if favorable weather ever is available. The game was postponed last week. At time of writing no arrangements have been made for a game. We regret, that owing to an error, mention was made last week that Mrs. Forrester had moved her beautiful parlor down town. Mrs. Forrester has not moved from her home on Queen Street. 75 years ago October 17, 1912 A Runaway - Some excitement was caus- ed on main street on Monday afternoon when a team of horses attached to a wagon with which Mr. A. Pelke, agent, was about to deliver a plough became frightened at something and ran away. Mr. Pelke had the reins but not being in the wagon had no pur- chase on them and after running to the Royal Bank corner the team pulled away, ran down Isaac Street to the corner of Mary collided with a telegraph pole, breaking it off and so were brought to a standstill. The wagon, plough, telegraph pole and a hydrant which stood in the way were all more or Tess damaged. The horses were unhurt. A Farewell Gift - The ladies of Ontario Street Church gathered at the home of Mrs. Trick on Thursday evening last, the object being to say farewell to Mrs. S.C. Hawke prior to her departure from town and to pre- sent to her a token of their goodwill and good wishes. Mrs. Hawke, who had been taking tea with some friends at the home of Mrs. Johstone, was utterly taken by surprise on calling at Mrs. Tricks to find so many of her friends assembled.