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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-16, Page 5n inion DAVE SYKES If you're not consuming television by the bucketful these days, you're missing out on the real meaning of Christmas. I just can't understand how people can get caught up in the spirit of the season without so much as having sampled the ALF Christmas special or .ingesting the Chipmunks Discover the Magical Christmas Tree. People who would pretend to be "of the spirit" without having activated the infrared wireless remote control, aren't receiving on all antlers. This, dear folks, is the season of sen- timental slop. Everyone from Charlie Brown to Alien Life Forms and old Jim- my Stewart (I have difficulty calling people over 30 years of age, Jimmy) have searched for, and subsequently found, the true meaning of Christmas on a Hollywood set within a half-hour television format. Commercials included. This is the time of year when televi- sion is inundated with "specials", .pro- grams that idealistically capture and convey the spirit and warmth of the season. It sells. Everyone wants to feel good this time of year and television tells us how that can be accomplished. Just this week, when Burt Reynolds had me clutching at my breast with his compelling recitation of a classic and timeless Christmas story and thinking that the ultimate Christmas spirit had permeated my soul;\television lifts me to the brink with Martha and the Vandellas on the Motown Christmas special. It was a touching weekend for the family by the set, replete with heart - wrenching sobs and longing glances at yet another Christmas special, com- plete with fake snow, through misty eyes. My emotional framework simply can't take all this semi -mental sludge. It's got to stop soon or I'll be drooling uncontrollably by Dec. 24. By the time the family had slogged through the syrupy offerings relevant to the season, the children no longer believed in Santa Claus. In fact, I think they've moved out of the house and they were only four and six -years -old when we sat down to watch a few Christmas specials. I fear that if I am unable to lift myself from the couch soon, I may be overrun with grandchildren by the time Perry Como's Christmas from Hawaii airs. And then there's the time dif- ference to take into consideration, too. The Christmas Special Syndrome almost ruined the season and time- honored traditions at our house as the youngsters had to stay up beyond their time limit to make sure that Santa, kid- napped by the most despicable of characters on another `special', was rescued m time to deliver presents. My children weren't about to go to bed without knowing if Santa was going to be released. They had visions of remote controls and Barbies going out the window. The Christmas Special is too emo- tional for the average family these days. I've got some genuine, bonafide ideas for Christmas shows that would work. How about a story on a group of Japanese tourists who follow a bright star in the sky only to discover it leads to the Golden Arches of McDonalds or a Photomat drive-thru in a major shopp- ing mall. Or how about a show in which Geraldo Rivera surprises Santa Claus coming down a chimney and does an expose on the contents of his sack. Come on Santa, how do you get those reindeer to fly? Or perhaps a family show about the Three Wise Persons, Brian Mulroney, Pat Carney and Simon Reisman nah, it wouldn't work. Consider a Hall of Fame Dear Editor: A few weeks ago, Ted Spooner was talk- ing about the possibility of a "Goderich Sports Hall of Fame." At that time, I was not too certain of the seriousness of this gesture. As for myself, I instantly was serious ana enthused. On a serious level, I think it is one heck of a good idea. For a small amount of money, a trophy case could be constructed and displayed, honoring those people in town, who have done so much for their sport! There could be a committee and a banquet to honor these people once a year. The proceeds would easily cover the cost of awards! Think of it, our own town, which is recognized for sports along with a host of other things,sponsoring, free of charge to the taxpayers, their own "Little Hall of Fame." For the time it takes to organize a banquet this could serve a worthy purpose in town. Most Inductee's would likely be inactive at Oho nrncont limn What a crnall nrino if LETTERS would be for us to honor them. What a tremendous encouragement for those who follow! And what a great memory of past success it would produce! Whether intentional or not, Ted came up with a brilliant idea. I would like to see it followed up! This program will never get off the ground if we leave it for the town to do. They are too busy turning down the Aquatic proposal. Let's do it ourselves and get the gears in motion! If you support this action, call Ted spooner at the Signal Star or Brewster at 4-7481! The concept is too good to lose! Call now. Bruce Baker Every dollar will count Dear Editor: No one will deny that charity begins at home. The great challenge to our generosity as Canadians is to address the fears and in- security of those people whom we do not per- sonally know and who have no social ser- vices to buffer them against hunger, illness and unemployment. In developing countries, such as Mali, Mozambique, Bangladesh and Nepal, thousands of people earn less than a dollar a day, and live constantly on the edge of disaster. USC Canada has been heartened by dona- tions from old and new friends across Canada, but postal disruptions cut into our fall fund raising and we are still short of our campaign target of 3.2 -million. Every dollar counts a lot and is urgently needed. Dona- tions can be sent to USC Canada, 56 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B1. Sincerely, John Martin, Chief Executive Officer. GODERICH SIGNALSTAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1987—PAGE 5 Torn WE16111l OF GEMS Each design is available in Ruby and Diamond or Sapphire and Diamond All are set in 10Kt gold %Carat total gem weight S99. %z Carat total gem weight S199. 2Carat S449. total gem weight 1 Carat total gem weight S249. � Y., ti 1Carat total gem weight 5249. The TOTAL WEIGHT OF GEMS s the total weight of all diamonds and gemstones A ,4,74. IT'fr JEWELLER 94 THE SQUARE, GODERICH 524-7841 7////4 to lighten your holiday shopping! Lou -Ann DeBruyn • from page 4 Thanksgiving, the day after Karen's bir- thday. Both of those days will be painful for her for the rest of her life. But, she should be proud of what she, her husband and Baby Gabriel have done for the world of medicine and for little Paul Hole who now has a chance at life. Donnybrook UCW meets The December meeting of Donnybrook UCW was held at 8 pm Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the home of Wanda Jefferson, with Lois Chamney and Eileen Hanna in charge of the program. The theme was "What Makes Christmas?" Lois opened with a prayer and Eileen read the meditation. Eilleen read the scripture, followed by a reading "No Room", by Eilleen Jefferson. Ruth Hardy read "Meditation on Decoration," and hymns were sung. Lois closed with prayer. Eileen Hanna took over the business. A lunch of Christmas goodies was served by June Robinson and Ruth Hardy. DL -7 KIT Great pictures - Unbelievable low price. A breakthrough in technology in a low-cost 35mm com- .pact camera. Kit includes: Camera, Fujicolor Super HR 100 Film, Batteries and more. SALE 5995 TW -300 KIT Two lenses in a camera for the price of one lens! Wide Angle and Telephoto Lenses, with the twist of the Tens barrel. The convenience of Autofocus and Auto Ex- posure; Built-in Auto Flash; Auto DX Film Speed Setting with drop-in film loading and auto advance and much more. Kit incl.: Camera with Wide Angle and Telephoto Lens, Fujicolor Super HR 100 Film and Long Life Lithium Battery. SALE 7995 with FREE Tele -converter VALUE 39.95 GREAT STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS /fie ‘viP FUJICOLOR 3 PACK SUPER HR 100 FILM The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer for those Christmas memories! s..11 a9 FUJICOLOR 10 PACK SUPER HR 100 FILM A Super Gift for that Special Photographer on your Christmas List! • • 1 • • • • • • •® • • • 1 4111 • • PRE -PAID PROCESSING ON CN 135-24 FUJI PRINT FILM WITH PROCESSING =a,E3695 1199 SAVE OVER 5.00 CARM saes easiosamon III AMERAS i .e I I a p • 112 The Square, Goderich 524-7924 1,