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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-01-28, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1987 There's nothing like a winter storm to draw people into inane conversations. The first storm with any semblance of severity struck with a measure of feroci- ty in these parts last week and have you ever noticed how it easily lures people in- to conversation and bouts of one- upmanship. "Couldn't see a thing on the way to work, nothin. Had to drive 40 km an hour with my head out the window." "You think that's bad," another storm lover offers. " 1 couldn't even see my windshield wipers. But I still made er through." "Oh yah, well it was snowing and blow- ing so hard I couldn't even see my wind- shield, let alone the wipers. Risked my life, I did, just coming to work." "If you think that's so great, 'It tends to go on ad nauseum. There's something about a storm that seems to bring out the false bravado in DAVE SYKES people. They want to talk about their ex- periences, their near -misses, their super human exploits and, ultimately, their stupidity. If the storm was severe, so- meone always has conditions that will top the absolute. But I really had to laugh out loud Fri- day morning as I waded through knee, - deep snow in the driveway, surveyiog the odds of making it through the drivew without shovelling. The odds, I would later reason, were not as good would have liked. But here it was, 8:30 a.m.,-many highways have been closed, school buses have been pulled off the roads, visibilty is poor, the wind-chill factor is numbing and few vehicles are visible on the roadways. And yet, while much of the world is im- mobile, I discover that the town of Goderich sidewalk plow has cleared the walk in front of my home. That's remarkable, I think to myself. I am unable to get my vehicle out of the driveway in the worst storm of the winter, but it is comforting to know that, given the inclination, I could easily walk on the town sidewalk. It was clear. Now, I think that speaks legions about the job some of these people do op our behalf. Either the employee in question is of impeccable credentials and possesses a solid work ethic, or he was poised behind the wheel of the sidewalk plow for months at the town garage, waiting for .the first hint of snow.. With the ample snowfall Friday, the door was opened and this crazed -snow removal unit was released for duty. So I shovelled. And shovelled. . Canadians are relatively good at shovelling, I would suspect, if for no other reason than they have ample oppor- tunity to engage in the sport. We should, in fact, know how to handle our snow. However, every winter people across the country suffer painful injuries to ma- jor muscles and flabby areas and heart attacks from shovelling snow. The in- juries are preventable and shovelling is reputedly a terrific aerobic activity that tones those flabby muscles and strengthens the heart and lungs. An American fiteness advisor -with the YMCA says that people with back and heart problems should not even consider the prospect of shovelling snow: But, all you healthy people should call off the snow plowing service and get your shovels out. Shovelling; fair folks, is a great form of exercise, when performed properly, which is at a slow -steady pace using the legs as much as possible. Bend your legs when you reach for a shovelful and straighten them to discard the snow. Now this guy even suggests taking stretch breaks every five minutes in the driveway, complete with an exercise pro- gram and hear rate check. All this when it's -20 degrees C. I wonder if fhat crazed,sid lila] low • operator does driveways Opinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 Godericittie � EBT ALL SOUND COMMUNITY NEWOPAlbER IN CANADA SIC�N�,L-STAR P.O. BOX 8!20 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH, OMT. N7A 4$6, PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 1848 and published every Wednesday et. ®oderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA. Bubeeriptlon's payable In advance 826.00, (Senior Citizens 818.00 privilege card number required] In Gonadic, 880.00 to U.B.A., 880.00 to all other countries, Bingle copies 60C. Display, National end Cleoeified edvertioing rates available on request. Please ask for Rete Card No. 16 effective October 1, 1986. Advertising le accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical orrorythe advertising epee,. occupied by the srroneoua item, together with the reasonable allowance. for 'signature, will not be charged for but that balance, of the advertisement will be poll for et the applicable rote. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or nervines et a wrong price, goodo or services may not be sold, Advertleing le merely en offer to °ell, end may be withdrawn et any time. The Signal -Star le not reeponelblo for the loos or damage of unsolicited monueoriptb, photos or other materiels used for reproducing purposes. General Manager SHIRLEY J. KELLER Editor DAVE SYKES Advertising Manager DON HUBICK FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...prease phone (5191524-2614 Second class mail registration . number 0716 Member: eNA . -Aprincely de A large majority of British people have expressed their support for young Prince Edward in his decision to opt out of his training course with the Royal Marine. But no one would like to face the anger of his father, Prince Philip, over that decision. Father is a sticker for tradi- tion, particularly where manhood and the military are concerned-. The traditions of England and the Empire die slowly, even though some of them make lit- tle or no sense imthe modern world. Take, for example,the traditional uniforms of the Royal ( and Royal Canadian) Navy, which had no front -opening flies or pockets. In shorts, just about the most unhandy garb any man could be asked to wear. The big square collar which hung down the back of the blouse was firstused when the navy's soldiers were dressed in white and the tar with which they kept their pig -tails from blowing in the wind left a nasty black stain on the back of the uniform. The days of tar on the hair were a century gone by the time of World War II, but the square and clumsy collars remained. Tradition has it that a king's or queen's son must be a military man and apparently Prince Philip wants to keep it that,way. However, if the young prince has the mental capacity fora more productive life style, God bless him. ( Listowel Banner) A step backward oderich anglers take icy bath in bay 25 years ago January 25, 1962: Four Goderich anglers had an icy bath when a trailer which they were riding in broke through the ice. on Kempenfelt Bay, just off Big Bay Point leading into Lake Simcoe. Goderich residents Ab Powell Jack Melia, Doug Blacker and Jim Thornloe were on an ice fishing trip near ' Barrie when the aceident occurred. The fishing shanties were about four miles out so the Goderich men, along with 20 others, climbed aboard a trailer, pulled by a e snowmobiles which was used to travel 'out . to the shanties. About three and a half, Leader Ed Broadbent and members of the NDP are no doubt jubilant over the most recent miles es out, ice theand railerkit a trisugh gaulcrack popularity poll which puts that party in second place after the Liberals in the federal com- inmen inside snbbroke in waisthigh g the e petition. The ruling Conservatives came in third. water. All was not lost however when, Reasons for the popularity of the NDP in Quebec have been mystifying for the past after walking on out to the fishing shanty, several months. However, the recent declaration from the NDP's Quebec wing, stating they , Ab Powell was rewarded with his ordeal are dedicated to sovereignty for Quebec within the Canadian Confederation, clarifies some with a nine -pound lake trout. The rest' of of the reasoning behind their present stance. In addition to sovereignty they are once again the fishing party wondered whether it was demanding the right to control the language of ,the province. all worth it when they came home empty - Former premier Rene Levesque's failure to impose separatism on Quebec when the pec- handed. ple of the province voted down that option, has apparently left a group of die-hards who are The Maitland Golf Club Limited will be seeking to find another path and another party t further their original interests. building a new $30,000 club house. This . The entire question has posed a 1 d f B db nt He has publicly stated held last week The bu]ldtng ,committee res canon r r or roe a was decided at. a shareholders meeting that he supports the principle of language rights in Quebec - but he faces very real opposi under the leadership of "Cy" Murray will tion if he attempts to preach that gospel to the rest of Canada, particularly in the West. be making preparations immediately to As the economy improves and a new and younger generation emerge in Quebec the de- get the building' underway. The modern mand for a French -only society is fading. Young Quebecers have now realized that progress new clubhouse is to be built on the site of within the business community of the nation demands a good working knowledge of English the present faacilities. It is hoped that the - just as many Anglos in Quebec have accepted the need to be conversant in French. ' new accommodations will be far enough Ed Broadbent faces a very difficult issue in this case. The support of a strong Quebec wing advanced by the time play resumes that at of the NDP would be vital to his hopes for national leadership, but their demands for least a part of it will be in use. At a recent meeting of the Goderich language rights may doom his hopes to failure. ( Listowel Banner) Figure Skating Club it was decided to hold LOOKING BACK adult skating and dancing classes on an ex- perimental basis. Demonstration and in- struction will be available and if sufficient interest is shown, regular classes will be held. 50 years ago January 28, 1937: Bert MacDonald was awarded a cer- tificate from the Royal Humane Society for his bravery in' saving the life of Fred 'Hardy of Stratford. Hardy was one of two men . who had been fishing on • the breakwater wall when a wind sprung up and Hardy was washed into the water. Macbonald pulled him from the water into his boat.' Mrs. M. Kelly, who had operated a hotel at Markdale, bought the Royal Hotel frorl}_ Donald Murray on Saturday and took it over immediately. Mrs. Kelly is thoroughly acquainted with hotel, manage- ment and plans to run the Royal on a high standard and give it its old-time standing among travellers. It is going to be com- pletely modernized. The Goderich Sailors handed Blyth In- termediates a 5-0 whitewashing on Mon- day night in 60 minutes of fast and rugged hockey, which at times threatened to break out into a small war. Sixteen penalties in all were handed out and in the last period especially, did tempers flare and sticks fly high. The speedy visitors performed a far better combination game throughout than the Sailors but were woefully weak around the net, while Goderich relied mostly on rushes and ganging plays for the major part of the game. 70 years ago January 25, 1917: It has been decided in future to distribute the yarn for soldiers socks and receive the socks in Hodgens Brothers store. Mr. Hodgen has given a space for that purpose and ladies from the Red Cross Society will be their Monday, Wednesday -and Saturdays. The need for hand -knitted socks was never greater and it is hoped that everyone who can knit will help in this work. Councillor Cutt brought up the question of the selling of the rails of the OWS Railway. Owing to the delay caused by the necessity of consulting the other municipalities;'th'zr""oppo"r"tunity of dispos- ing of the rails had been missed, and he considered that council should through a committee keep in track with the other municipalities so that . should the 'oppor- tunity come again, advantage could be taken of it to make a good bargain. The price of eggs is higher now than ever before. The chances are that they will con- tinue to bring high prices. Hens that lay are sure to pay. Leghorn Poultry Food will keep the entire flock in good condition and will make every hen an egg producer: 25 cents a package, sold by E.R. Wigle, drug- gist, Goderich. Look on the bright side -- at least you're not rich So you think you've got it tough? No money? Lots of bills? You stretch your paycheque as far as you can until it finally snaps hack to its actual size, causing your personal cheques to behave like dubber balls? Cheer up! It could be worse. You could be rich and famous! From all evidence, the lifesytles of the rich and famous have been over -glorified, partly due to such things as the creation of television programa,such as "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and partly due to the average person's desire to -hold onto the fantasy that all our problems would clear up instantly, if only 'we could lay our Bands on a few mill'ibii bucks. To clear up these misconceptions, one need look no further than the many well- knoWn and wealthy people who are eon- 'stantly popping up in the news. In fact, that's one of the pitfalls of being a celebri- ty, you are constantly popping up in the newg. When Britain's Prince Edward recently decided to resign from the armed forces of that country, the media pounced on it. Headlines proclaimed the pacifist prince a `vixnp and a crybaby and detailed the -reac- tions of friends and family members to his decision. flow would you like that kind of attention to be placed on your every career move? "Joe Blow resigns from factory!" the headlines would scream. "Claims he's tired of 9 to 5 rat race!" Lengthy follow up stories would chronicle the anguished response of Joe's family. "Unemployment Insurance won't last forever, says Joe's wife." "I knew he couldn't cut the mustard, proclaims Joe's boss." "I told him `Joey, be smart, become a doctor,' reveal's Joe's distrait mother." This kind of headache, the average person just does not need. Life is not all flash and glitter, even for non -royal celebrities. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney could nov doubt joie con- sidered rich and at least semi -famous. But, when was the last time .you saw his Irish Eyes displaying a truly sincere smile. He would no doubt trade a goodly portion of his fame and fortune just to hear a good word about him, or his government, by anyone but his own public relations people. Rock music star Michael Jackson may well be the richest and most famousper- on oh the plane't,, but does he appear to en- joy it? When not performing, the man is afraid to go out in public except in disguise. When Jackson's presence in a croWd is discovered, he must prromptly, "Beat It!" or face a mobbing that could • 4 from this angle { brick Raftis take several hours to ,disperse. Modern history is full of examples of the well-to-do who, in the end, dill not do too well. Elvis Presley, °Marilyn 1Vlonroe, John DeLorean, to name only a few. The only members of the economic and social elite that appear to behaving any fun with their wealth and status are Bill Cosby and Harold Ballard, and even the latter does seem to have his off days. Wealthy people will never know the sim- ple thrills that most people experience, like making the last in a long series of payments, or finding a long -lost $20 bill in a seldom worn jacket. It would be enough to make them cry in their champagne, if only they knew what they were missing. What bizzare circumstances, you Alight ask, would inspire this occasionally -lucid columnist to string together a series of paragraphs denouncing the hazards of. opulent living? Well, the bills are piling up, I've got no money and my paycheque has been stret- ched so far it no longer snaps back, but merely lays limply on my desk, refusing to do anything. Oh well, at least I'm not rich!