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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-10-28, Page 4PAGE 4--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 198j This is a time of panic and despair. All about us, people are panicking and grabbing themselves in despair and mak- ing loud groaning noises. Some tear at their hair; others just clutch at their tailor-made shirts near the neckline. There is much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. But it is all done in showy, elaborate fashion to indicate the degree of despair and panic. Mostly it's just a reactionary process on the part of corporate and fiscal people and those who would pre- tend to be corporate and fiscal by buying BMWs they can't afford. There is a sudden sense of urgency to life these days; an urgency that has been heightened by the seeming collapse of stock markets around the world. People with money tend to react to the threat of recessions, market collapses and depressions in strange' ways. I somehow feel left out and cheated by DAVE SYKES this whole process. Not being corporate or fiscal in nature, I don't have reason to spend the morning on the phone talking to some obscure broker nor do I rush off to bars to lament the decline in the Dow Jones or the TSE and to generally wallow in fiscal despair after work. The panic and despair of the day is passing rile by and in a desire to be an in- tegral component of the salient issues of the day, I have taken to rushing off to bars after work, savagely loosening my shirt collar and tie and wallowing in despair and lamenting and all that fiscal stuff. It seems to work. Now I'm depressed, distraught and fearful of losing savings I don't have and wondering if I will ever trust a broker again.' Gee it's wonderful to -be involved. And now, anyone who ever met, or even thought of going to a financial seminar featuring renowned analyst Brian Costello, is featured on the news comparing the events of today with the fateful stock market crash of October 1929. Composite indexes, bullish *arke4, blue chippers and mutual funds have become the buzzwords of the day and anyone less than conversant with these terms simply isn't worth lamenting or despairing with in bars after work. Unless, of course, there's no one else around. This fiscal turbulence has even spread to mothers who, on learning of the immi- nent demise of the world's monetary system, phone their sons to ask whether or not the children are warm at night ( it gets real cold up there doesn't it? ), did you ever thunk of moving away from there?, make sure you eat your vitamins and that paper's pretty small, will you still have a job? It's even getting tougher to soothe a mother's aching psyche, especially when she's more fiscal than you are. What's even worse than not being fiscal is being recognized as a fraternal member of the press, the people w4to are being blamed for stimulating the economic malaise through reactionary and comparative reporting. Why there wouldn't even be the hint of a depression if some jerk reporter, who just wanted to consume trendy drinks in bars with fiscal people while lamenting and despairing and loosening ties, hadn't mentioned it in print one day. And now look what's happened. Stock markets have plununeted around the world causing people to lose life sav- ings and jump out of their basement win- dows in desperate attempts to inflict pain upon themselves for being fiscally foolish. One Floridian even went so far as to shoot his broker before taking his own life. That's carrying this thing too far. 1 think I'll just go to bars and lament an despair while pretending to be.fiseal over ,trendy drinks. 0 inion THE NEWS PORT FOIL GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH, ONT. NIA 4B6 um ` Goderici� SIGNAL. -STAR (.t 6CE8T ALL RClam OUND35M)-450 COMUJ) C C N NITY NEAW*Barer PAPER Nmvapeper IN CANADA uculeCmpewm 1984 PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded on 1648 and published every Wednesday at Goderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and °CNA, Subscrip- tions payable in advance 523.00, (Senior Citizens 520.00 privilege card number required) in Canada, 560.00 to U.S.A., $60.00 to all other countries, Single copies 60c. Display, National and Classified advertising rates available on re- quest. Please ask for Rate Card No. 18 effective October 1, 1987. Advertising is accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with the reasonable allowance for signature, will •not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typogrdphical error advertising goods or services at 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 Toss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduc- ing purposes. General Manager SHIRLEY J. KELLER Editor Advertising Manager DAVE SYKES DON ' HUBICK • FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICE...please phone (519)524-2614 Second class mail registration number 0716 • Member: (+CNA OA. Keep Halloween safe Other than Christmas, Halloween ranks as one of the most exciting days of the year for children. The prospect of dressing up in, costumes and masquerading as brigands, ghosts, witches and an assortment of space creatures delights kids. And, you can't knock the fact that the treats are free and doled out .in good measure. But, while children approach Halloween with enthusiasm•and wild, carefree abandon, the Ontario Safety League offers several safety tips that parents should be aware of and pass on to children. .Wear a light-coloured costume., Pedestrians are more visible in light coloured clothes. -Retro-reflective tape is available commercially, and should be added to clothing to heighten visibility. Note that retro -reflective is different from flourescent. Flourescent colours are effective only in daylight; retro -reflective items are designed for nighttime use and will glow when car lights shine on them. Look for flame resistant labels on ready-made costumes or material to be used for costume's. Make-up is better than wearing a mask. Masks can obscure vision. Make-up is more fun and creative. Children should wear short costumes so they don't trip. Costumes should be designed so that children can walk easily without entangling their feet or tripping. Comfortable, well - fitting shoes are a must. Also, no bike riding -costumes can easily get caught in the spokes. Use a flashlight to light your way. A flashlight can help children see and be seen more clearly while walking in the dark. Trick -or -treat on one side of the street, then the other side. Avoid criss-crossing the street, even in quiet neighbourhoods. Always walk on, the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. Go out with parents or friends. Basic safety precautions are needed even on Halloween. Younger children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Older children should go out in groups. Discuss your plans with your parents. Parents and children should map out a route for tick -or -treating and set a time limit. Never go inside a strange house, apartment or ear. Children should trick -or -treat only at "homes included on the plan agreed to by their parents. Avoid poorly -lit homes. Have a parent check your treats. Treats must not be eaten until they are carefully check- ed by a parent. Immediately discard any unwrapped„or loosely wrapped items. Give children a meal or a snack before they go out trick -or -treating so they won't be tempted to eat before they get home. Know the Block Parent homes in your neighbourhood. The Block Parent home is a safe haven for children who are frightened, injured or lost. Children look forward to Halloween and by taking some basic safety precautions, it can remain an exciting and safe day in their lives. In many cities, children don't even bother to go trick -or -treating door-to-door. Rather, for safety reasons, they hold house parties for neighbourhood children. Don't, however, get complacent with the small town image and believe that nothing malicious would ever happen in Goderich{ The safe approach is the smart approach and some basic instruction for children and precaution on the part of parents will mean the dif- ference between an accident and a happy experience. Trick -or treat! Sparkling tap water e,cpe7ted from new. filtration plant by .mid-November 1962 25 YEARS AGO November 1, 1962 Sparkling tap water from the new Goderich filtration plant is expected by mid-November. Minor adjustments, dur- ing the final installations, have caused a three week postponement from the original date of October 20. Rough lake conditions have hindered the completion of the intake area out in the lake. At present being completed are the detailed fixture installations and general cleaning around the impressive pumping building. The main operation with its seven graduated pumps and involved duct system, is ready to go and presents an attractive ap- pearance in its shining blue enamel finish. First concert of the season ofthe Goderich Community Concerts Associa- tion is to . be held at the Collegiate Auditorium on Tuesday, November 6th at 8:30 pm. Guest artist is to be Ronald Turini, internationally known pianist. He was second prize winner in May, 1960, of the highly rated Queen Elizabeth of Belgium International Competition. The artist is, at present, the only pupil of a keyboard master who is a legend in his own time, the renowned Vladimir Horowitz. The Montreal -born artist made his professional debut at the age of 10 with the Canadian Broadcasting Company. Now at 26, he is a seasoned performer. He made his USA debut in Carnegie Hall on January 23, 1961. LOOKING BACK 50 YEARS AGO November 3, 1937 This weekend Goderich can hope to see the biggest co-operative Dollar Days Sale that has been offered in many years. Bilis have been distributed throughout the town and surrounding counties and the 30 mer- chants taking part in theevent are offering very special values. In order to add to the interest of the buyers, fifteen of the business places are offering a total of $25 in cash prizes. Coupons will be given out by these stores with every dollar purchase and the lucky tickets will be• drawn on Saturday night. Commercial fishermen here are becom- ing anxious over the extreme scarcity of fish being lifted these days and for some time pa$t. In fact, fishing this October is the worst it has been for many years, two lifts by separate fishermen this week net- ting only two and three fish respectively. It is pointed out that at this time of year, fishermen are accustomed to "reaping a harvest" to tide them over the winter, and last year about this time, several fishermen lifted approximately more than a ton of fish. Prevailing storm weather is blamed for the scarcity of the fish. 70 YEARS AGO November 1, 1917 One of the events of Halloween was a masquerade'ball at Oddfellows Hall under the auspices .of the Goderich orchestra. There was a fairly good attendance, in- cluding a party of young people from Seaforth and many gay costumes made a pretty spectacle. The 'lady's prize was awarded to Miss Ada Gopsill, who represented an Indian princess. Messrs. George Little end Gordon Noble had to draw for the gentlemen's prize and Mr. Little won. He was in a comic costume. Other charms may dim as we older grow, but when the Witch with her atten- dant ghosts and jack -o -lanterns, waves her magic wand out hearts grow young again and with the children we do homage to the Queen of Halloween. So at any rate, it seemed on Tuesday evening, when the "Witch's Cave" in the schoolroom of Vic-, toria Street Methodist Church—was crowd- ed to capacity with an expectant audience. At the Witch's tap performances came forth and rendered appropriate music, drills and recitations. I take a lot of kidding from my co- workers, along with some semi-serious criticism from the upper -echelon types, about the condition of the office dumping ground, otherwise known as my desk. Although I make efforts to keep my work surface devoid of extraneous ob- jects, there always seems to be enough printed matter on my desktop to supply an entire Boy Scout paper drive. A thou- sand litter boxes could be lined using on- ly the contents of my top right-hand drawer. And so I found great pleasure, and no small sense of vindication, from unear- thing from the clutter the other day a col- umn by Daniel Stamp, founder of something called Priority Management Systems Inc. Stamp, it seems, is in possession of some sort of survey which indicates the average business person has approximately 36 hours of work on their desk at any given time. Also, they spend an average of three hours a week ( which adds up to about four weeks a year) just trying to find things on that desk. I can vouch for these figures. As I look at my desk, I am sure one could spend at least 36 hours cleaning it off, let.alone do- ing any actual work with the mounds of stuff which has accumulated on it. As for trying to find things on it, well, 1 have been negotiating with Geraldo Rivera, who wants to explore the mysteries of my littered escritoire on an upcoming television special. Unlike Geraldo's disappointing Capone's Vault episode, I'm sure my desk would yield some sort of surprises. If not the Lind - burgh Baby, or the body of Jimmy Hoffa; then at least a cache of unmatchable single socks or the remains of a long - decayed bag lunch. Despite the obvious financial incentive to accept Geraldo's offer, I may turn him down out of concern for mankind. Who knows what dark forces might be unleashed were he to force open my long - jammed lower left-hand drawer. Years from now it could become the subject of one of those schlock horror classics. Heaven knows, I would not want to be responsible for all the on-screen mutila- tion necessary for the filming of "It Came From Pat's Desk ! " I know that, in theory, we should all be responsible for the care and feeding of our own work areas. However, I refuse to take sole responsiblity for the condition of mine. Located as it is, in the central area bet- ween the Editor's Office and the Sports Department (a distance of about 15 feet and three reporters separate the two), my personal workspace has become a repository for all manner of items discarded by co-workers on their way past. Finished with the newspaper? from this angle Patrick Raffia Throw it, unfolded, on my desk as you go by. My desk has become known as "The Place Where Old Newspapers Come To Die". No place to butt that smoke? Go ahead, use Pat's ashtray. I also have their coffee cups, notebooks, photographs, writing im- plements and sundries. I'm thinking of holding a garage sale. , There are of course, some advantages to keeping your desk piled high. For in- stance, there is never a shortage of material to pull from the pile and scan, in attempt to look busy, when the publisher breezes through. Also, if so- meone calls and asks if you are taking care of a given matter, you can always declare that you've got the material on your desk right now. Chances are, you are telling the truth. I would love to go on at great length on this subject. Unfortunately, I am far too busy. If the average person's desk con- tains 36 hours of work, the pile currently covering mine must represent at least 60 hours of continuous toil. And, it's almost quitting time. MADAM