Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-06-03, Page 4PAGE 4—GODEKICH SIGNAL-STAtt, WEDNESDAY., JUNE 3, 19a7 By the time you slide this paltry piece under the dog dish or re -line the bird cage, this correspondent may be knee- deep in mud in the middle of a simualted war zone, somewhere in rainy, damp West Germany. At this very moment, I may be huddled in the dank bunkers of NATO training grounds, passing the ruin bottle with journalistic colleagues and inhaling deep- Iy on that lastcigarette while missiles light the dark sky overhead. It won't be a pretty sight, believe me. But then, just being there is the least one can do for one's country. And, of course, when the call goes out for the boys "to go over the top", the response will be imunediate and emotional. '1'o be honest, I don't expect that a week-long sojourn to the Canadian Forces Base in Lahr, West Germany will DAVE SYKES 'he life-threatening in any way. One of six journalists, representing the Canadian Community Newspaper Association ( C'CNA ), accepted to cover the special • North Atlantic Treaty Organization ) NATO) medical exercises in Germany,' I trust that the country's Department of National Defence will take special care of my fragile bod. Afterall, I am an invited guest. And it would only seem fair that since Canada Forces Europe is hosting the exercise, they would have the social graces to en- sure that their own respected jouralists are not used for tank practice in the mid- dle of some rain -soaked field. While I accepted the invitation to observe an exercise entitled Green Tree Frog, I must admit that DND has been less than co-operative with information. Before departure Sunday, May 31, I was at least notified that it was damp, and rainy and that proper rain gear and boots would be acceptable attire. Colleagues. in the pulsating newsroom giggled with delight when Ottawa phoned with the weather report. So, naturally I have envisioned the worst scenario while preparing for the week-long excursion. Tramping through the rain and mud in a foreign country, chasing our nation's finest defence forces, is not the kind of holiday one nor- mally books through a travel agent. I've checked it out thoroughly and no- one has heard of the Green 'Tree Frog week-long excursion to West Germany. But then again, you can sell almost anything to a journalist. From time to time, through the offices , of the Director General of Information Services, Canadfan Armed Forces, an in- vitation is extended to journalists from_ Canada's Community Newspaper Association to visit armed fore :,}• person- nel in Canada and abroad 'These study tours are offered on short notice and are often cancelled in the same manner. I will be part of a contingent of jour- nalists with representation from all parts of Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. While the Department of National Defence has been tight-lipped about the nature of activities we'll be exposed to through the Green Tree Frog exercises ) sounds like something out of Sesame Street) I have the impression we will not be privy to our country's most intimate . military secrets and strategies. But you can trust that on my .return, there will be a story or two to relate. And yes, you will be privy to all the details. My only regret about leaving on Sun- day, May 31 at 8 p.m. was that 1 was air - born when the Philadelphia Flyers defeated Edmonton for the Stanley Cup. pinion THE NiEWS ® T FOR GQDEP CH & fIiT$ICT SINCE 1648 U;e' ric IG F -� E5T ALL POUND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA • P.0 2® HUCK10i19 eT. BN®U9TRBAB- PARK ®C®EROCH, ONT. 0®07A 4®03,. PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 11348 and publlehed every Wednesday. et Goderich, Ontario. Member4f! the CCNA end OCNA. Bubscriptione payable In advance 8322.00, [Senior Citiaene 8319.00 privilege card number required] In Canada, 113EO.O0 to U.B.A., 83130.00 to all other countries, Single copies SOC. Display, ,National and Classified edvertieing rete,* available on request. Menne ask for Rate Card No. `1S effective October 1, 1986. Advertising le accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical error, the advertising /space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with the reaeonebis allowance for elgnoturs, will not be . charged for but that belanee of the advartimoment will be peed for of the eppliceble rate. In the event of m typographical error advertising goods or service,* at a wrong price, goode or services may not be cold. Advertising Is merely an offer to eel!, and may be witihdrewn et any time. The SIgnal-Bter le not reepo'nalble for the lone or damage of pnnoliclted menuecripte, photos or other materiels used for reproducing. purposes. ' General Manager SHIRLEY J. KELLER Editor DAVE SYKES Advertising Manager DON HUBICK TSE F/ 7 rel /VG L' .HodLD DO is RouND»dP SQME cLoT ES --- 7'NO ELECT .0 V/C , VAA'6 I /+2/y 6Er TELE(//16/1/ / 77/FYY'LL .3E 4SK/ FOR / JOA/) , A N / WE D0/ '7" EVEN 'YAW. POCKET l=0 EUS1i[i0E99 ®0=8 ECITCR0AL ®FFUCE9.,.ple®se phone Q5191524 -2n14 Second class mail registration number 0716 Member. Dialing for help For most people, the pressures of daily life can be' handled easily enough. They find ways to let off steam, to control' frustrations, to get through difficult times – either on their,own, or with help from friends: ' ,However, not everyone can so easily cope. The lonley and depressed among our papula- tion do not always have a friend to turn to, a shoulderto lean on. But now, a new service iti town is, offering that shoulder, that helping hand, to anyone who needs it, simply by.picking up the telephone and dialing ) toll-free) 1-800-265-4598. • • Goderich has joined the Stratford Telecare network as•a branch of an existing service in Stratford. And that's good news for many people. Trained volunteer operators are how only a phone call away for those in distress. However, Telcare is a people service and it needs concerned individuals to make the pro- gram work. Volunteers are needed for promotional work, fund-raising, organization, and many -cher vital aspects, as well as volunteer operators who have time to spend three, four- hour shifts each month answering calls, listening, advising and directing callers to ap- • propriate social. service agencies. On June 16, Telecare organizers are holding a public meeting at.St. George's Parish Hall, Goderich. beginning at 7:30 p.m. Person's interested in volunteering, or simply interested, are invited to attend.. Hopefully local residents will get behind 'Telecare, as they have so many other worthy causes in the past and help make it work. - P.K. Seniors recognized .June is the month dedicated to Senior Citizens across Canada. Indeed, it's about time Canada recognized both the past and present contributions of seniors., In Ontario, the government is just now beginning to realize the complex needs of senior citizens. And these needs are being met, thanks to groups such as the United Senior Citizens of Ontario (USCO 1', a group of seniors, which lobbies the government for necessary changes in policy affecting seniors across the province. In a recent speech to members of the local chapters of the USCO in Lucknow last week, Minister for SEnior Citizens Affairs Ron Van Horn, says a "quiet revolution," is now tak- ing place with seniors making their needs known to the government. One. of the profound changes sparked by the diligence of of the seniors' groups was the establishment of the Ministry of Senior Citizens' Affairs itself. The ministry is the first of its kind in Canada. Also significant was last year's White Paper called "A new Agenda," a blueprint for change in the way the Ontario government views the question of needs of the province's elderly in the• future. Two crucial areas the government hopes to address are the provision of a clearer defini- tion of extended care to seniors and a new program dubbed "One Stop Shopping" which will allow seniors access to the gamut of. services available ( VON, Meals on Wheels, etc. ) without dealing with the maze of services individually. With government and seniors groups working together, an enriched way of life and in- creased services for the elderly appears to be just around the corner. Dominion Road Machinery sells 45 Champion graders to rgentina in 1962 25 YEARS AGO May 31, 1962: The Dominion Road Machinery Company Limited of Goderich-has completed negotia- tions for the sale of 45 heavy duty "Cham- pion" diesel motor graders to Argentina. This order also includes,a substantial supply of spare parts for the graders." The graders will be used by the Department of Highways of the province of La Pampa. This is the first of a group of roders totalling $5 million.', Delivery of the current order is to be com- pleted before the end of August. ,Argentina is no stranger to the Goderich. made Cham- pion grader. As early as 1923-26, DRMCO exported to Buenos Aires 128 of the then popular horse-drawn Champion road graders. The modern Champion, resplen- dent in its glossy,yellow enamel is a 13 tonne diesel powered motor grader, the only grader of its type manufactured in Canada. Popular, with roadway departments across the Dominion, the Champion today is the fastest selling motor grader in Canada. The present contract is the third largest order recently received by DRMCO from Argen- tina. Excellent prospects for further South American orders are reported by Mr. J.K. Sully, vice-president and general manager of the local firm. A projected new nine -room public school is under consideration by the Goderich Public School Board. Estimated to cost $250,000, the school would be constructed on property purchased by the board four years ago. The property is located on Eldon Street, between Bennett and Blake streets. Board chairman Wilson McCreath has ad- vised Hon. J.P. Robarts, minister of educa- tion, of the need of this additional local educational facility and has been assured of the department's consideration. Pending government approval, the management LOOKING BACK committee of the school board is consraer- ing the proposed school to accomodate 300 pupils and to include an assembly room. Proposed costs•will be based on a maximum of $20,000 per classroom with 48 per cent of the approved costs covered by the provin- cial government. 50 YEARS AGO June 4, 1937: "David Direct", a fast trotter owned by D. McCharles of Lucknow, had to be destroyed after breaking a leg while being put through paces at Kincardine race track. Joe Shelton, local driver, was exercising the horse, which had done the mile in less than three minutes, when it shied at a shadow on the track and jurnped. In the fall, the animal's leg was broken. About two miles north of Goderich, on the bank of Lake Huron, is situated that attrac- tive spot called the Goderich Summer School camp. It has been operating three seasons and over 900 boys, girls and young people have attended various camps held there. The delightful beach, the spacious grounds, the comfortable sleeping cabins and the large, airy dining 'room all assist in creating comfort and pleasure. Leaders who are specially adapted and trained direct and develop the physical, intellectual and spiritual phase of life. For 1937, the schedule of the various camps is as follows: senior boys camp, June 28 to July 5; senior girls camp, ,July 5 to July 12; summer school camp, July 12 to July 19; junior boys camp, July 19 to July 24; Beau Sejour Provincial Camp for leaders, July 24 to August 2, junior girls camp, August 2 to August 7,; and, Atwood .recreation camp, August 7 to August' 17. Miss•1VI`abel Bailie, of Goderich will give any additional information. Arrangerrlents were completed yesterday by C.H. Humber, president of, the Church Softball League, for the erection of two sets of stands at the softball diamond at Victoria Park. It is expected the stands will be com- pleted within a week. They will accomodate 300 persons. Two stands of three tiers, 50 feet in length, are to be erected, one along the third base line and the other .along the first base line, • 70 YEARS AGO May 31, 1917: On Friday night, as a result of a fuse wire blowing out, a small blaze occurred at the Model Theatre. A spark from the wire Set fire to a reel of film lying on the floor of the operator's room and before the flames could be extinguished several reels were destroyed. When the operator, Mr. Josh Thomas, saw the first reel burning, he pluckily picked it up, regardless of the flames and carried it to the street. By the time he returned, several other reels were on fire and the chemical extinguishers belonging to the theatre were then used to quench' the flames. The place was well- filled at the time, but by making use of the side exit all got out without any trouble. The projection machine was only slightly damaged and the show was running again on Monday night as usual. n things to do when the boss is away As those of you who have Already. ex- amined the column at the top of this page already know, the esteemed editor of this publication is away this week. He said it was some sort of business trip in West Germany – matters of national security arid all that sort of thing. It's not that I'm jealous of the boss' sp- jurn to Europe.. After all, in the'course of my work, I have had occasion to travel to such exotic locations as Dublin, Brussels and Zurich (Ontario). All, I might add, at the company's expense. However, since our seemingly -tireless head scribbler is seldom absent from his duties here at the Signal -Star, i was con- cerned that some of the more recent ad- ditions to our editorial staff might be slightly uninformed about proper jour- nalistic behavror in the boss' absence. And, just in case any of you have a boss who is planning an excursion overseas in the near future,. I thought 1 would share with you a selection of tips for getting by without the head honcho for a few days. Things to do when the boss is away: , 1. Sleep in very late on Wednesday morning. 2. Take most of Wednesday afternoon off and go golfing, drinking, hang gliding, or any combination of the above. 3. Come in hungover on Thursday mor- ning, shut yourself into the boss' vacant office and tell the switchboard you will be taking no calls until after lunch. 4. Go for lunch. 5, Write an unsigned editorial,condem- ing the activities of a local service club, women's organization, or children's group (i.e. Girl Guides, Minor Sports I. 6. Tell irate callers to phone back next Monday, when the editor will be glad to discuss the matter with them at length. 7. Spend entire weekend at the beach and run pictures of seagulls in place of photographs from regularly -scheduled weekend assignments. 8. Tell irate callers to phone back next Monday, when the editor will be glad to discuss the matter with them at length. 9. Run picture' of editor with lampshade on head in place of his column with cap- tion "Regular correspondent is in (frolice custody", 10. Go home early. Of course, sooner or later, you roust face the inevitability of the boss' return to the workplace. Never fear, NO have from this angle Patrick Raft's prepared a second list to handle that eventuality. Things to do before the boss gets back: 1., Attempt to round up and hide all re- maining copies of last week's paper, so you can claim it was sold out. '2. When that proves futile, begin com- piling an extensive resume. 3. Check Help Wanted advertisments thoroughly. 4. File for Unemployment Insurance benefits. 5. Have Art Department begin work on large "Welcome Home," banner for boss' office. 6. Hope for the best. Of course, a wiser form of action would be to simply write a silly column, detail- ing all those things you would really like to do while the boss is away, do none of them and then carry on as usual. Gee, I wonder what the boss will bring me back from Europe?