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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-11-04, Page 4PAGE4 -CiTO ERIGHa .SIGN TAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1981 DAVE SYKES •C -NA BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second class mail rf9istration , number -0716 Our lives are inundated with multitudinous problems and the list seems to grow each day. Just consider the plight of the average Canadian who faces high mortgage rates, steep gasoline prices, Harold Ballard, in- flated grocery prices, the CBC, the con- stitution dilemma, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the postal system, Beachcombers and the. Argonauts. Those are fairly heavy burdens that Canadians must bear on broad shoulders each and every day° Our standard of living is on the high side, but then there are those little annoyances in life. In fact, despite the impressive list of worrisome woes factually presented, our Prime Minister had the audacity to suggest that his subjects, Canadians, are whiners and that our comfortable existence com- pares favorably to other nations. Apparently others are having a much more difficult time of it and the PM would like us to quit whining - and count our blessings and devalued dollars. - So if interest rates force you to abandon that dream home, consider yourself lucky. Many people don't have homes to walk away from and are eavian of those that do. Small businesses across the country are folding in record numbers but take solace in the fact that the majority of Canadians don't even own a business that is crumbling„in around them. Some people want everything. The Prime Minister isn't plugged into the grassroots problems of this nation and at this very moment, many Canadians are beating their heads -against the wall, trying to find the extra dollars to keep the second car on tlfe road. Perhaps, complaining is an inherent trait in that product of the multi -cultural melting pot, loosely referred to as a Canadian. It seems to be in our blood. But, as the economic evidence would substantiate, things are a little tight at the moment. A recent addition to the list of complainers and whiners is the Canadian pyjama in- dustry, the folks who give us snuggles, body - length flannels, shorties and naughty peek- a-boo lace things for the more adventurous inspirit, This week it was reported that our revered pyjama industry is coming apart at the waistband and things aren't so cozy with the people who put comfort in our nation's sleepwear. And the problem is directly related to Canadian sleeping habits. Now, it is purported, and I personally don't have evidence to confirm or contradict the theory, that more Canadians are turning ' in and nodding off without wearing pyjamas. That is not to suggest, either, that when we call it a day our bodies are clad in work clothes, suits, leisure suits or the dress of the day. Canadians, it seems, prefer to hit the hay au naturel, In the buff, wearingjnly a bir- thday suit (nudge., nudge), in the raw or totally nude. In short, Canadians don't wear nothin' to bed and this latest fad or fetish is causing great alarm in the pyjama Industry. If people are flopping onto water beds after the National in the nude, it only follows that pyjama sales are lagging. That is if my meagre grasp of economics is still sound. The practice, studies indicate, is widespread among the post-war generation while older people and youngsters, of course, prefer to slumber under the warmth of flannels and snuggles. Certainly to assist this despressed sector of the economy the government will seek a royal commission to investigate the rationale behind catching winks in the raw. In my own naivete, there was no doubt in my simple mind that people,. you know, covered their bodies before going to bed. You learn something every day. SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT Rounded In 1111 and published every Wadnesdey at ®oderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Aden, Using rotes on newest. Subscriptions payable In advance °11.1141 In Conada..M.N to U.S.A., °MN to all ether coun- tries. single Caplet f1°. Display advertising rates available on request. Please ask for Rot* Card No. 11 effective Oc- tober 1, 111111. Second clam mall Registration Nuinb•r 0710. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the went of typographical error. the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for et the ap- pilcablerate. In the event of a typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is mirely an offer to sell. and may be withdrawn at anytime. The Signal -Star Is not responsible forth* lou or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproducing pun. poses. .. PUBLISHED BY:SIGNAL-STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager • DAVID SYKES-Editor P.O. BOX 220. t%' ��)C MCKINS ST. Q� _ k INDUSTRIAL PARK G GODERICH N7A.4B6 • . (...,_\ FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 membrance Day Remembrance Day is of 'special significance to all Canadians and the memory of the soldiers who bravely fought on our behalf, should always be with us. Thosewho are a product of the post-war era may find it :'difficultt to relate to the concept of war, the suffering, the loss of loved ones. . But it 'is fitting that we should pay ourrespects on ti Remembrance Day and honor the men and:,women who gave so much for their country and fellow Canadians. As usual, there will be a remembrance service at the cenotaph in. Court House Park next Wednesday beginning at 11 a.m. and everyone is urged to attend. .Each year, the Royal Canadian Legion sponsors a poem and essay contest prior to. Remembrance Day. °Present below aretwo of the winning entries by Canadian hrg school students. Aman can have no greater love... Jesus said, "A man can have no greater love thanto lay down his life for his fellow man.” How much the soldiers who fought in the war must have loved their countries. Our men must have believed with alltheir hearts that the family and. friends at home were worth dying for. They helped to preserve our past and enrich our future. As a part of their future, as a symbol of the many lives that were taken and denied any kind of future,I wear lily poppy with pride. When I think of the young men whose hopes and dreams were extinguished so 'that I may have a bright future, I feel sad, yet grateful. We all live in Canada in freedom and unity because of their strength and courage. The poppy symbolizes these qualities and should be an in- spiration to us all to live as those who fought would have us live. We have the veterans who survived the war to be ad example. Since they've been there, they know all too well what a disappointment it would be for the world to go to war again. In order for us to fulfill the dreams of our soldiers, we must try to take on the qualities symbolized by our pop- pies, strength and courage. Combining these attributes with a love for every man of every nation, we may be a world of peace. Isn't this the quality of life that man strives f or? And so, as we, on Remembrance Day, place our wreaths around monuments of our brave soldiers, we can be proud that our country is a free one. As we stand in silence we thank God for this freedom and pray that the whole world may be free and peaceful. This day of remembrance should be carried out i our every day life as we try to build a world for our dead soldiers tobe proud of. Through faith in God, I know all our men who died for us have been given the peace that can only come from above. Jesus' words were like a promise, I believe, and I know all the surviving soldiers knowlhat there's a special place in heaven for them. Jacinta Gallant . Charlottetown, Charlottetown Rural High Grade XII A veteran deserves thanks Its disappointing when you hear Some people saying, "So what, What did it have to do with me?" They were willing to give up their lives In order that ours could be bettered. They fought to save their country. And for. what they believed in. Their bloodshed and tears fell to the ground Only God really knows what they went through They should be remembered, They shall be remembered, For their courageous deeds. More and more people are being enlightened By these overwhelming acts and can feel sorrow. These men should have respect and honour Show to them throughout the land For a veteran deserves our thanks and praise For a veteran deserves to be remembered for all time. Richard Bouzane Springdale, Newfoundland Grant Collegiate Grade 11 Age 19 ' Enchanted forest By Cath Wooden LETTERS Heritage award was a thrill forWallace Dear Editor, andall those who par- As you are aware from the press release issued by Heritage Canada, I was the proud recipient of a Com- munity Service Award, honourable mention, at the Heritage Canada annual. meeting in Halifax during the week of October 19. In its search for those who might merit an award, Heritage Canada issues in- vitations to municipalities and Heritage groups to nominate individuals • or groups responsible for cer- tain efforts in heritage con- servation. It is to all those in Goderich who put themselves about to nominate me, that I wish to offer my sincere thanks by means of this letter. I do not know who all went to the trouble of writing letters in support of the nomination but I do know that the idea originated with Councillor Elsa Haydon and that she masterminded the presenta- tion which was made on my behalf. I do wish to thank her ticipated in making the nomination. Winning the award spur- red me to attend the con- ference held this year in Halifax. It was not only most instructive in matters relating to heritage con- servation but it was a delightful experience to visit Halifax again which I had not done since my husband and I had spent several mon- ths there during the last war. Although Halifax lost some of the fine buildings in the centre of the city before con- cerned citizens began to pro- test and instigated the very beautiful restoration of the historic properties on the water front, one ,gets the strong impression that Haligonians value their treasure of beautiful buildings . highly , and tend them with loving care. The award winners were given royal treatment with a reception at Government House and a dinner at the. Legislature of Nova Scotia. It was indeed a happy occa sion of which I was proud to be a part. I am moregrateful than I can say to those who were instrumental in getting me there. I am also very much aware that none of the pro- jects which formed the basis of my nomination were my efforts alone but all have had the strong support of many of my townsfolk. To all of them, too, I offer my thanks. Sincerely, Dorothy Wallace. Reader offers identification of photo Dear Editor, Re: your issue October 14, 1981: "Can you name the members?" This picture intrigued me very much as the soldier standing in the centre of the line looks so much like I did in 1912. For a few moments I thought it must be me, but it could not be . The clue to the whole pic- ture is thefaint writing at the bottom of the picture, namely, "Signal Sect. 29th Regiment Goderich, Ont." , First of all - Where did you obtain this photo? Secondly - This so-called Regiment was named` by Federal authorities as the 29th Waterloo Regiment This information was receiv- ed from the Military In- stitute in Toronto this date. Our old County Regiment was called the. 33rd Huron Regiment. Thirdly - I think you will ascertain by looking up old papers back around June 1912 that the yearly Camp of all the Western Ontario Regiments was held that year 1912 at Goderich, over in the property close to At - trill's Point West of Saltford. They used to camp for 10 days each year. Probably I was at that Camp with the Signal Section of the 33rd Regiment, as I recall being over there at least once. Fourthly - I don't think you could ever locate anyone in Goderich who even remotely knew any of the soldiers in the present photo. The 29th Regt. would be head- quartered, I imagine, in Waterloo County somewhere, possibly in Waterloo itself or Berlin (now Kitchener) so a reprint in a Waterloo paper might get more definite results than you could ever obtain at this late date. Finally, my interest in this item stems from the fact that I was a member of the 33rd Regimental Band from Goderich, very well known by the population at that time and I was also very in- terested in Army Signalling Turn to page 5 • It is time to put an end to the whole stinking conspiracy. I don't care how they do it - pass laws, hold sit-ins, gather petitions - just as long as they stop the mad fiends. It was Sunday afternoon, November 1. I was recovering frau an ever -so -busy Halloween night of handing out suckers and tootsie rolls to the total of four children who came to the door. It was a beautiful day. After putting the new used snow tires with the red rims on the back of my old blue car, I was tired. I went inside and turned; on the TV, knowing full well there would be nothing on except hog reports and nature specials. I was wrong. There in living black and white was the annual Eaton's Santa Claus Parade winding its way along my screen. It was November 1. Sheesh!' It was noted, with a touch of pride, hat'tne parade wras making its earliest appearance ever. I wonder if they are aiming for October 1 next year? I felt like running out into the street and shouting, "Come on, will ya! Gimme a break!" at the world in general. I can see it now. In five years, Toron- nniens will be lining the streets of their fair 2ity, wearing tennis shorts and tank tops, slapping sun tan oil on their bodies and watching the street for signs of Santa Claus. In ten years, they will be back to wearing coats and mats and throwing snowballs while waiting for the parade. Except it will be February. Why can't the masses understand that the jolly season is only a figment of the imaginations of greedy manufacturers of dolls that pee and robots that require bat- teries? Why can't the masses understand that the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade is a ploy to gel idem off to -then -mull to spend spend? Perhaps they do. Maybe they figure there's nothing else to do once the Halloween candy has been picked through for razor blades. Forgive my cynicism. No, don't forgive it. I have a right to be annoyed. We all do. It's easy for people to say, "If you don't like it, you don't have to listen to it, watch it, or read it." But it isn't easy to do that and be a functioning member of society at the same time. I don't suppose there's anything wrong with being in a festive spirit for eight weeks prior to the event. I mean, my sister has been skipping about the house merrily chanting, "Only 53 sleeps until Christmas, tra la tra la!" The question is, can a sane mind handle that day's letdown after such a build-up, Religion aside, (let's face it, religion is way off -to the side 'fur -most people-) the r&ay is one that has been manufactured for the monied and for the familied. And it is a devastating letdown when we discover that we're never quite as monied or familied as the group on the TV commercial playing a happy Game of Life. It's a vicious circle that won't stop. We can promise to bring up our kids properly and with the right values and priorities. But the truth is, once they are exposed to life outside the home, it is the Eaton's Santa Claus Parades of the world that push us aside and take over. I know the way I want this Chi -lab -nes to be for me. And I know the way that society wants this Christmas to be for me. Already I am losing because of the mere fact that I am writing about it on November 4. It's a race for sure. The finish line for me is as far away as I can get from the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade. But the damn thing is everywhere. .ad CATH WOODEN