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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-06-23, Page 4PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1982 z D/E SYKES / r. Well, this is it fair folk. As of some obscure time Monday we officially entered the summer season. Ah, yes, summer. The very word conjurs up visions of languid, sunny days spent lounging on the patio deck with refreshing mint julips at hand to quench the thirst. It's a time for boogaloo and barbeque, ball, suntans, picnics, bugs, swimming, sun bathing, boating, vacations and perspiring good times. But, to date, the calendar has been playing a cruel joke on unsuspecting idiots like myself. While it may definitely read June, it feels more like April or September. If this summer, I demand a refund. There has been no demonstrable or concrete evidence to event hint that the season of fair weather and good times is upon us. During the storms of January and February, I literally drooled at the thought of June 23 and the hot propsects that it held. Typically, I imagined myself lounging in the serene environs of the backyard, a comforting beverage in hand, the barbeque sizzling and the lawn defencelessly turning brown against the glare of the unrelenting sun. The sun has been anything but unrelenting or hot. To date, and I can substantiate this evidence with at least one other person whose intelligence is suspect, I have not encountered one person with a suntan. Such an animal does not exist in this area. Usually by this time of year, the visible portions of my meagre body are bronzed with what is known as a golfer's suntan. Face, neck and arms are about the only anatomical parts the sun's rays are able to hit on this fast moving scribe. Not only are suntans scarce this summer, but I suspect, and with substantive reason, that few bodies have been prone to per- spiration. Not due to a lack of gut -wrenching pysical activity, but, rather, a severe lack of sun and hot weather. Ominous black clouds have been dimly hovering over this part of the world and already cheated us out of a pleasant spring. With the arrival 'of summer this week, the long-term prospects are not exactly en- ticing. With my scheduled vacation period looming large on the mid-July horizon,I am most fearful_ the weather will not have changed appreciably and much of the three- week hiatus will be spent indoors, watching the grass grow by inches per day. One of the nasty side effects of the damp, dismal and rainy weather we've ex- perienced is the frequency with which the lawn must be cut. It has reached the point where I am elated if the weather cooperates for a few hours to give me a chance to cut -down the jungle in the rear and.front yards. The dog days of August that produces brown lawns and wilted flowers would be welcome relief from the insipidity of the weather of the past two months. In trying to keep up with the growth of my lawn, I have resembled a crazed man, running around the yard to get a few swipes in with the dull blade before the next rain. And it is a horrific experience to watch the onions, beans and- assorted veggies as they wash away with the torrents of rain. The garden is a chain of puddles and plants lay precariously at agnles, submerged in the puddles, refusing to poke their. green heads above the water. Perhaps, the best approach is simply to ignore the weather and enjoy the activities of summer, regardless. So, who cares if it's raining this weekend. I'm going to sit in the backyard, get a tan, and sweat. A BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second class mail registration number -0716 SINCE 1848 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT founded In 11,911 and published every Wednesday et Goderich. Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Adver- tising rotes on request. Subscriptions payable In advance 99.55 In Canada, '15.55 to Y.S.A.. '39.N to all other coun- tries. single copies Se'. Display advertising rates available on request. please ask for Rate Card No. 11„effedlw Oc- tober 1, 1951. Second class mall Registration Number 5115. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that In the event 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 at the ap- plicable rate. In the went of a typographical error advertising goods or services of a wrong price. goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star Is not responsible for the lou or damage of unsolicited manuscripts. photos or other materials used for reproducing pur- 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. HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH N7A 486 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES please phone (519) 524-8331 New leadership needed When a nation is troubled it is natural that its people should look to their federal government for leadership. It is also natural that attention will turn to government heads in increasing degrees as problems continue to press upon the well being of the nation. So it is these days that Canadian attention. is focused inward, towards Ottawa. Whatever it is we are seeing from'The House, it is not leadership. We are seeing a House in shambles, a House reduced to the level of a low -ranking debating society, a House without decorum, without efficiency and without effect. We are watching a government dedicated to trying to defend a defenseless budget, trying to rescue a misguided energy policy, trying to justify one of the most blatant examples of patronage ever disclosed in this country, and trying to smooth over an action that borders on undue influence on the part of the solicitor general. We are watching an opposition more intent upon disrupting the House than putting forth new proposals for the good of the country, an opposition that hasn't gotten over its bungle -job of government. Such a mishmash of government cannot be the fault of two or three men, but certainly many Canadians have reached a fundamental conclusion: for the good of their country both Prime Minister Trudeau and Opposition Leader Clark should fold their tents and go. The last two elections in this country have resulted in protest votes. Joe Clark and the Tories did not win the 1979 election, Pierre Elliott Trudeau and'his Grits lost it. And Trudeatrand the Grits did not win the 1980 election - Clark. and the Tories lost it. Not only has the electorate lost confidence in these two leaders, but there is growing opposition to, them from within their own parties. , Their status in Parliament has become such that should Clark be replaced it is almost certain Trudeau would not win another election, • should he consider it interesting enough to run, and should Trudeau be replaced, the Tories would almost certainly remain in the opposition benches. It is a deplorable state of affairs. Considering the entire history of this relatively young nation, we cannot think of a similar situation - a situation where the leaders of our two major parties were clearly unwanted and the men involved refused -to leave. No one could say it better than Oliver Cromwell in addressing the Rump Parliament in April of 1653. "You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!" (Listowel Banner) Enjoy Canada Week We are approaching Canada Week, a festive week leading to the celebration of Canada Day, a day that marks the birth of the nation. Not only is it a summer holiday but a day to reflect on the precarious beginnings of this fledgling nation and review our progress over 115 years. Recently, the government of Ontario issued a press release detailing all the celebrations a that were taking place in hamlets, villages, towns arid cities across the province in celebration of Canada Week.' The list of ac- tivities, festivities and plans was impressive and in- dicated that much initiative had gone into the preparatory work. The activities scheduled to take place• in the town of Goderich during the week were also listed in the release and it is safe to say that organizers have put together a fine package of entertainment, displays and activities. The program for this small municipality compare favorably with'any celebration in another town or city in ,t le rovince. The Goderich recreation department, tourist committee and service clubs have worked diligently to prepare such an impressive program of events during the next week, leading to Canada Day. June 27 is Founder's Day, a day when the town of Goderich celebrates the 155th an- niversary of its founding. The festivities begin this weekend with an old timer soccer tolfrnament at Agriculture Park and the Goderich Municipal Airport will be the scene of a fly -in breakfast for members of the Experimental Aircraft Association. There will also be many displays at the airport during the day. The GDCI stage band will take spectators back a few years with a selection of big band tunes and a square dancing demonstration will follow in Court House Park. Saturday is, also a day for welcoming dignitaries from our sister city of Bay City, Michigan. The American delegation will be guests at the Legion Saturday evening for night of entertainment in an old style ,English pub setting, complete with a show by Billy Meek. The highlight of Saturday's activities is the gigantic fireworks display that will begin in the harbour area at dusk. A special civic ceremony will take place in Court House Park Sunday at 1.15 p.m. The ceremony will include a flag raising and tree planting in honor of the patriation of the Canadian Constitution. The Founder's Day Parade will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. and begin on Elgin Avenue and continue around The Square. The Lions Club Will offer a pancake breakfast Sunday and later the offering will turn to beef in Court House Park. On Sunday, the Goderich Arts Foundation is sponsoring a strawberry social at the Livery Theatre on South Street and the weekend festivities conclude with a concert in Court House Park featuring the Knights of Jazz band from Kincardine. The tourist committee is also offering guides for cycling and walking tours that people can pick up at the tourist information booth at the corner of Elgin Avenue and Victoria Street. The following weekend the Goderich Optimist Club will host its third annual Music Festival and Friends at the new Optimist Park off Maitland Road. Both the town and the club have put in a great deal of work to transform the former dump site into a suitable park and comfortable venue for the music festival. The recreation department, the tourist committee and local service clubs have developed activities and en- tertainment to suit people of all ages. The events are worthy of your support and hopefully the weather will be a little more co-operative for both weekends. As previously mentioned, there are few communities in this province with an impressive list of events, en- tertainment and festivities as that assembled by the groups in town. Goderich will celebrate Canada Week in style. So, get out and support the clubs and activities and have a good time. D.S. Spring swim By Kris Svela DEAR READERS SHIRLEY KELLER There's good news this week. At least I think it's good news. ' Believe it or not, there's something coming that will sharpen even the dullest wits - and that sounds like good news for a loser like me.. Called Intelligence Amplifier, it's a tiny computer embedded inthe brain that can ef- fortlessly magnify the knowledge of the wearer. And according to my information, the computer doesn't need to ,be implanted. It can grow there. !-Ali" by itself. On the will of the owner. Admittedly, my understanding of this device is sketchy. I gather it is even sketchy to the scientists who claim it is possible - and that it will work. But I can certainly see the application for it, and it conjures up all sorts of exciting possibilities doesn't it? It eliminates failure in school, for instance. And I'm just wondering if it would eliminate school. What would mothers do then come the first of September when summer holidays are over? It would eradicate unqualified personnel on the job. Just think. Every worker could be an expert in his field simply by proper programming. It would stamp out absentmindedness. It's my guess it would be a simple matter to recall all programmed material instantaneously. No more forgetting what you were to pick up at the drugstore..Just call it up in the mind's eye. It would put an end to political ineptitude. Elected leaders would be able to project themselves into the future of every situation, and legislate with vision and foresight. What a blessing at last. And there will be no more wallflowers. No more conversations you are deft Qut of because you don't know the subject. It will be instant insight. I would imagine there is limitless scope to the gadget. For instance, husband and wife could be programmed together and eliminate misun- derstandings and unnecessary conflicts. Wife could have full Comprehension of the football league; husband could be well informated about the afternoon soaps. Families could be' harmoniously linked together - no more quarrelling and bickering over differences of opinion. Everyone would be like-minded and tranquil. The applications of this are mind-boggling. Universal unity would be only a computer program away. No more wars. Only peaceful co= existence in a world where everyone shares the same goals, the same wisdom, the same op- portunities. But there must be inherent dangers in such a computerized society. If we think. we are becoming dehumanized now, how much worse would it be if this whole science catches on? However, there seems to be little doubt it is coming. Faster thananyone ever dreamed. We're right on the brink of a totally changed environment. We're going to be caught up in decision- making of a new and frightening dimension. The information I have is that we will be able to choose whether or not to participate in this Intelligence Amplification Society - and to what extent. If you ask tne, that invites all kinds of scary problems. It suggests powerful cliques whose minds are united and maybe controlled by those with the strongest wills. _. That makes for even more discrimination against those who resist and the potential for some weighted conflicts and no real winners. I heard a discussion about this awesome scientific probability just recently and the question was this: The human brain is the last frontier. It's the one we know the least about. Isn't is dangerous to proceed, with Intelligence Amplification until we know more about the kinds of effects it will have on life as we live it in 1982? And the answer was this: That's what the people of Christopher Columbus' day told him It was ridiculous then and it's ridiculous now. We've always pioneered the unknown. It's full steam ahead because it's the only way. Well, I don't know. Maybe I'm too old to be that adventurous ... or maybe I'm so cynical and skeptical about man's ability to handle such far- reaching fantasies thatI can't be objective. It could be the news I've brought you isn't really that good after all. It could be it's really a devastating development that will reduce us to ConeHeads such as we see in science fiction movies - no conscience, no personality, no self - actualization. Still, I like the idea of being able to expand my mind easily and sufficiently to comprehend the use of the metric system, the practicality of the federal income tax formulas and the significance of the stock market quotations. With that extra intelligence, I'd be in a much better position to make the family income stretch as far as it needs to go to provide for today and prepare for tomorrow. Municipalities hold disarmament referendums Dear Editor, We are writing to make sure you are aware of the op- portunity of holding a municipal referendum on nuclear disarmament. Many municipalities across Canada and around the world are participating in a disarmament referendum. Our riding association has been following this issue with interest and wanted to share with you some of the information we have gathered on the subject. Please. see the enclosed material. We believe that people should have an opportunity to have a voice on their future, to participate in what the United Nations has call- ed the choice between disar- mament and annihilation. The municipal referendum is a reasonable approach .calling for gradual- and balanced disarrrrament. it is widely supported with many - municipalities already plan- ning to hold a referendum. It is a non-partisan issue with support from M.P.'s from all parties. Many church and other organizations are also supportive. It is a municipal matter - not just because voters should have a voice but because in the event of a nuclear war municipalities will have to deal with the state of emergency. A municipal disarmament referendum can be held at little or no cost to the Council or taxpayer by running it alongside the coining municipal election. Holding the referendum is legal since it does not interfere with the specific responsibilities of other levels of Government. We would like to en- courage your Council to hold a referendum on nuclear , disarmament and would ap- preciate your response to this idea. Should you need more information please feel free to contact me. Yours sincerely, Tony McQuail, R.R.1, Lucknow. Looking for C.W.A.C. Dear Editor, We still haven't located all our C.W.A.C. friends of those great days of World War II. The news . media has helped a great deal in other years, so once again we call CANADIAN WOMEN'S AR- MY CORPS VETERANS to the annual reunion through the medium of this release. This event is sponsored by the Canadian Corps Associa tion, C.W.A.C. UNIT 47, the last weekend in September, 1982, in Toronto. This is the 24th annual reunion for our Turn to page 5 e 4