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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-09-26, Page 4CfriSIONALATAR, VI DNF S AY, SEPTZME11 26,1964 DAVE SYKES /71 ii It seemed like a good idea at the time but I'm still having second thoughts about this lunch business. And now I am asking myself if real men, or men folk of any description, go home for lunch. I had never in my entire life given the pro- spect of lunch at home the remotest chance of consideration until the Sykes family pur- chased a modest bungalow within the town limits. Within minutes, it may have been seconds, of the signing of the purchase agreement the mother of our children turn- ed and made the following promulgation. "Well I guess you'll be coming home for lunch now," she offered while flashing that know-it-all sardonic grin that says I've got you this time. She continued, " It will be such a nice break for the children." The children, yes. We must always think of the children. It is that inherent selfless dedication and consideration that sets parents above normal human beings. The truth of the matter is that my presence at home for lunch would give the mother of the children the chance to recover from a gruelling morning with the two dynamos we affectionately refer to as 'burs.,' I could read between the lines but took my medicine with dignity. "But of course," I offered meekly my voice rising in disbelief. "It would be great to come home for lunch." The repercussions of that hastily agreed to contract set this agent to sitting alone in the dark, mouth wide open and eyes fixed in a stare on nothing in particular. I couldn't believe that I had committed myself to lunch at home. The last time I had been home for lunch was elementary school. Grade 7 to be precise. Since then I've been toting a large paper bag to school and work situations. In fact, the contents of my oversized lunch bag has been the source of much discussion and deri- sion at your favorite weekly. At least two sandwiches, cold cats on brown, heaped with lettuce and mayon- naise, a banana, apple and or assorted fruit, cookies and maybe a„pudding, were stan- dard lunchbag fare for this scribbler on a daily basis. Colleagues were often wide- eyed in amazement at the repast pulled from the confines of the Zehrs bag. A man can't be expected to sit behind a desk or push the shutter release button on a camera several times a day without a hefty lunch behind him. Here, here. Lunch was always a time to discuss the weekend football games, maybe play. a game of cards in the coffee shop, read the sports pages or discuss the obvious merits of the new female personnel in the other department. I had never suspected that people went home for lunch. While the reporter's credo ultimately for- bids assumptions of any kind, I had assum- ed that men did, well, you know, men things at lunch. Would it not be safe to submit that men went out with other men for lunch and discussed matters of universal importance like football games and the new female...oh never mind. And business too, of course. Men surely would discuss business at lunch. In fact I know of business people who tend not to return to wore, aster lunch, the nature of the discussions obviously requiring more atten- tion than anticipated. But home for lunch. Would it ever Catch on? As the lunch hour approached on the first day my pahns grew sweaty, my head Jerked uncontrollably to one side and I was sure that I couldn't handle the drive home. With a false bravado I opened the front door Monday only to have my son run at me from the other end of the house, jump up and inflict irrepairable damage to vital organs with his rapier -like knees and elbows. Daughter Laura thrust a half -eaten mushy grilled chees sandwich in my face, crawled across the kitchen table to battle with her brother who was dipping cucumber pieces in catsup and both were screaming at each other. The mother of the children burned my grilled cheese and then in the process of scraping off the black material, dropped the. sandwich in the dishwater. Now everybody is screaming. Will somebody please take me out to lun- ch. Member: *CNA Second class mail registration number 0716 THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 Founded in 1848 and published every Wednesday at Gudsrich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA, OCNA and ABC Audit Bureau of Circulations. Subscriptions payable in advance '20.95, (Senior Citizens '17.95 privilege card number required) in Canada, .55. to U.S.A.,'55. to ell other countries, Single copies 50'. Display, National and Classified advertising rates available en request. Please ask for Rate Card No. 14 effective October 1, 1983. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the avant 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 cf the advertisement will be paid for et the applicable rate. In the .want of a typographical error advertising goods or services at &.wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn et any time. The Signal -Bear is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materisla used for reproducing purposes. PUBLISHED BY: SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER - President and Publisher DON HUBICK - Advertising Manager DAVE SYKES - Editor P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINB ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK 000ERICH, ONT. N7A 4B6 I FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL. OFFICES...please phone [619) 624-8331 Inspiration for all The fact that the Papal tour attracted thousands of peo- ple at almost every stop on a 12 -day Canadian tour, sur- prised even Pope John Paul II. During his return flight to the Vatican aboard a special Air Canada jetliner, the Pope told Canadian reporters that he was most surprised with the attitude he encountered in Canada. Pleasantly surprised, though. The first and historic visit by the Pontiff to Canadian soil was a most memorable one. Thousands of Canadians, and no doubt many Americans too, lined the motorcade route at every stop and attended the open-air niasses con- ducted by the head of the Roman Catholic Church. No doubt, many of those who travelled hundreds of miles for a glimpse or the Pope, are devout and ardent Roman Catholics who grew up in the discipline of the faith. Yet, his presence obviously attracted others of vary- ing faiths and beliefs. That is the power and appeal of John Paul II. His message has universal applications and his appeal, sincerity and humility transcends religious barriers and beliefs. He exudes warmth and love. His mere presence, his actions and his personality seemed to inspire everyone. His actions and gestures with the young, the destitute, the old and the handicapped transcend our own human frailties and insecurities.. The Pope delivered several messages during the tour here and made special appeals for young people to return to the faith and rel'oious vocations. His message may have also served to remind people that we must look beyond our own achievements and advances and that we must be conscious of a life beyond our earthly existence. Bishop John Sherlock, president of the Canadian Con- ference of Catholic Bishops suggests that the Pope has challenged Canadians to review their spiritual lives and that the tour effectively instilled Canadians with a new cohesiveness, a new sense of understanding and respect for one another. The impact will be difficult to assess. The Pope did leave Canadians with a challenge to return to basic human values and family, comrnunity.and sharing. He of- fered inspiration. What kind of long-term impact his visit and message will have on Canadians is prone to interpretation and speculation. Still, Pope John Paul's visit was most welcome and will be remembered for a long time. D.S. Short-term solution Well Brian Mulroney has already proven a few things to the Canadian public. While the Prime Minister can be considered a study of contradictions, he has, at least, avoided the pitfalls of Joe Clark and swung the blue machine into action. Still basking in the emotional high of the largest majori- ty in Canadian political history, Mulroney promptly responded by surrounding himself with the largest cabinet. Now the PM and his 40 ministers will have to set their minds to the tasks at hand. And they are numerous. Mulroney has promised Canadians that jobs would be a priority for his government and that he would also take a responsible whack at government spending. This week Employment Minister Flora MacDonald announced the federal government would spend an additional $430 million in job -creation programs over the next two years. More than half of that amount, $250 million will be used to create 47,000 jobs both this winter and next. MacDonald claimed the Liberals left the winter job market at the mercy of the economy. The money will come at the expense of other govern- ment programs as the new Conservative government ob- viously sees merit in providing winter works programs in communities across the country. • The benefits of pumping millions of tax dollars into short-term work projects has been argued on both sides of the House of Commons many times before but Mulroney obviously wants to provide some of that short-term relief now. Hopefully this plan of attack will not preclude some long-term solutions to the unemployment problem. Incentives have to be provided before the private sector can respond with expansion, growth and jobs. Many of our young people require training or retraining and provisions will have to be made by the federal government before these people can crack the meagre job market. MacDonald has assured us that the, infusion of millions into short-term jobs is just that, a short-term proposal. She has promised programs more substantial in scope which would be most welcome indeed. D.S. September beach by Joanne Buchanan POSTSCRIPT JOANNE BUCHANAN I didn't get to bed until almost 1 a.m. Monday. The reason? I had to watch the 36th annual Em- my Awards show until the bitter end. I hate to admit it but I am a t.v. junkie and the Emmy Awards are the highlight of the viewing season. I planned my whole evening around the show and settled back with hot chocolate and a comfortable cushion for the duration. I know right now that some of the people reading this column will be totally disgusted with my addiction to t.v. These are the same people who call television "the idiot box” and "the boob tube." In the past, I have lied to friends about my ad- diction. When they have suggested a social outing in the evening. I have told them that I have too many chores to do at home. Or I have pretended to be an intellectual, saying that I just have to finish that book on Victorian poetry that I am reading. But I've come out of the closet now. I'm no longer ashamed to admit it. I confess. I eat my meals in front of the television set and plan my life, when I can, around the weekly schedule in TV Guide. The truth is that I just couldn't stand to miss an episode of Hill Street Blues. Currently, this is my all-time favorite t.v. show. I'm not sure why but I have always been drawn to police and detective shows. I have a friend who is the same way with hospital shows. When Marcus Welby went off the air, she went into withdrawal. However, she has since recuperated with St. Elsewhere and Trap- per John M.D. I don't like Trapper John myself because one of the characters named Gonzo (a doctor), lives in a grubby trailer in the hospital's parking lot. That is just too hard to believe. Wouldn't there be a by-law against that? And if he is a doctor, why can't he afford better accommodations? I also detest car shows like Knight Rider, Hardcastle and McCormick and—the absolute worst of them all—Dukes of Hazard. I can never figure out how they make tires squeal on dirt roads. Mindless sitcoms like Three's Company and One Day at a Time really bug me too. I mean, who in their right mind would let their building maintenance man hang around their apartment and intrude on their privacy as much as Schneider does with the Romano family on the latter show? And what about Alice? That restaurant she works in never has enough customers to support one waitress, let alone three or four! No wonder poor Mel is always yelling. He's going broke with all the help he's hired. My frustration with these sitZoms however, doesn't explain why I miss such silly shows as Get Smart, Gilligan's Island, The Beverly Hillbillies and Hogan's Heroes. I could watch re- runs of these for hours. I guess there is no real rhyme nor reason to my viewing habits unless maybe it is casting. I like the casting in such current comedies as Cheers, Family Ties and Newhart. Although it is tempting, I haven't succumbed to night-time soaps like Dallas and Dynasty yet. There are just too many of them and if I started following even one, I'd be holed up in my apart- ment every night, never to come out again. I only watch shows like Love Boat and Fantasy Island if I'm desperate. They're too gushy and mushy with their happy -ever -after endings. But while I don't like happy -ever -after, I don't care for shows that are sad either. I cry my eyes out when watching Little House on the Prairie re- runs. And if I had known that a little girl was go- ing to die in the movie, The Dollmaker, I never would have watched it in the first place. I was devastated for at least a week. I tried not to watch The Day After ( the movie about nuclear holocaust) but I was drawn to it. Then I was scared and depressed for about a week. Middle-of-the-road. That's what I like. Game shows are my favorite, especially the ones which require a bit of skill. I love shouting out the answers. I get so frustrated when the stupid con- testants can't figure them out. "It's so simple," I think. "If I was on that show, I'd win the car for sure. I'd clean up." Of course, there's no pressure when you're answering the questions at home instead of in a t.v. studio. "But I'd still clean up," I tell myself confidently. Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around watching t.v . On Sunday nights, us kids got to stay up late and watch the Ed Sullivan Show and if we were really good, we could watch Bonanza after that. Saturday nights, we got into our pajamas early, propped ourselves up in front of the t.v. and devoured pop and chips while watching Hockey Night In Canada with my dad. To this day, I love watching a good hockey game on t.v.—and most other sports for that mat- ter. When the Olympic games were on, I had bags under my eyes from staying up half the night watching all the events until they were over. You know, come to think of it, there are even a few commercials on television that I like to wat- ch. By now, you may think I'm totally crazy. But I don't care. If I'm star -struck, I can't help it. I love watching glamorous stars in beautiful clothes in exotic locations. If I can't live the life of the rich, at least let me watch it on the screen and dream. Television is the next best thing to being at an actual event—the Queen's visit, the Pope's visit, the big game or concert. It's cheap entertain- ment and easy to absorb after a hard day's work. It brings you the news and it's educational ( I've learned more from The Nature of Things than I ever did in an actual science class). And now and again, it's even inspirational (like the movie about Canadian Diane Dupuy and the Famous People Players—a group of mentally handicap- ped adults who entertain with black light theatre). Sure, there's a lot of garbage on t.v. but you just have to be selective. Anyway, I have to end this defence of my ad- diction now. It's Monday night as I write and I want to get home in time to watch TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes. It's been a long day at the office and I c' .uld use a few laughs. The first day of autumn has come and gone, demanding the surrender of another summer. The flowers have responded with a burst of last minute energy, the brightness of their colours a forceful reminder that new splendor will come next spring. One cannot let a summer slip by without putting into words of gratitude our pleasure in the generous beauty provided steadily by our parks department. Mr. Peter Spain and his dedicated co-workers ought to be once again congratulated for a job very well done. The clean face of our town goes hand in hand with the bright flowers and the restful greens of the trees, framed by the fluid shades of the lake. These elements offer a recreational invitation taken up by ap- preciative residents and visitors. Much of the credit goes also to the parks and waterfront committee, chaired by coun- cillor John Doherty, for continuing to develop health parks attitudes and prac- tices, and to the entire town cougcil for its support and understanding of the impor- tance of these lifestyle attractions in the overall picture of our town and its ambi- tions. In its daily work the parks department also receives a great deal of guidance and support from Mr. Ken Hunter, commis- sioner of works, whose contribution and firm dedication in the field is considerable and valuable. Knowing that I speak on behalf of many people I should like to thank the above men- tioned persons for making the face of much of our town so attractive and pleasant and adding to our summer enjoyment. And then there are the private gardens. One is left with the impression that they become increasingly more colourful sum- mer after summer. They are the punctua- tion in the message of our town's pleasant theme. Personal events and experiences have ad- ded further dimensions to what kind of memories follow us out of this fading sum- mer, what lasting nourishment our mind has absorbed. The highlight of my own summer (indeed, of many summers) was the Toronto Interna- tional Festival in June, with its overwhelm- ing abundance of world class performances. I was able to attend five events which I shall never forget; their echo remains vibrant and supportive whenever there is need for encouragement in the daily routine. I had never before experienced a live per- formance of the Metropolitan Opera, never heard Jon Vickers in person. In Wagner's beautiful and lyrical Die Walkure I had made an excellent choice for both, apart from it also being my favourite among the Ring operas. One's reaction to a great work of art is so intimate that it remains out of reach of a valid description. It means being taken out of oneself so that after such a performance has ended there is a bodily sensation of returning to oneself. However, there are peripheral observations which can be shared. One is regret that we in Canada are not better at- tuned to the many great achievements of our culture, often more widely acknowledg- ed and enjoyed elsewhere. We have little awareness and less pride in the artists whose names spell Canada all over the world and indifference at home. Jon Vickers' is one of the world's great singers, at home with the Metropolitan Opera and on any other famous stage on any continent, his name on many lips in other countries. To most Canadians it means nothing, yet he is one of us. Contrary to popular belief, Canada is not known in the rest of the world for its hockey players. Hockey players are heroes only in Canada. Our only heroes? During the recent Canada Cup frenzy it was announced with obvious disbelief that the hockey games were not given live coverage in the Soviet Union. Of course not. We are so awfully out of step with the priorities outside the bdun- daries of our country and our minds. Millions of people in China know Canada for the triumphant tour of the Toronto Sym- phony Orchestra, with Maureen Forrester. When Canada is mentioned in the Soviet Union and other European countries, millions of people add to the above the names of Glenn Gould, Theresa Stratas, Karen !Cain, Frank Augustyn, Harold Town and many, many more. I am not suggesting anything as heretical as becoming unfaithful to hockey stars, but I do wonder at times why there is not enough room in our minds for both - a Jon Vickers and a Wayne Gretzky. And how was your summer? ELSA HAYDON