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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1976-10-28, Page 19• • • mulimonomommommounummoiir GORE RICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSPAY,.OOP B Res,11,76.�.: A For everything there is a season. Dozens of fishermen have been patrolling the waters of the Maitland River the past few weeks in search of the salmon that have been running.. Braving the elements at all times of the day several area fishermen have landed chinook and cohoe in the river area. Earlier this week, Dick Berryman of Goderich landed a 36 inch -20 pound chinook. (staff photo) eeker claims Howie Meeker, •known to all Canadians for his televised period commentary ,and criticism of National Hockey League games, was one of the guest speakers to Canadian Weekly Newspaper people at their annual convention in Halifax, this summer. Mr. Meeker is now a resident of St. Johns, Newfoundland, where he " is ` recreational director for that city. In his introductory sen- tences, Mr. Meeker said that he well knew the important part played by small-town newspapers. He harked back. to his childhood at ' New •Hamburg, Ontario, 'saying that he vividly recalled the thrill of that first time„ he saw his name in print. It was in "The 'Independent" when he was mentioned in a hockey story, being credited with an "assist:" From this humble start, he said he always: read the' weekly newspapers, as his hockey' skills expanded, and he was on teams playing in neighbouring towns. He was named in the Milverton Sun, the Elmira 'Signet, the bowlihg might be developed Erin Advocate, and. finally ' g P young woman spent "sitting economically in small towns, on her ass, doing nothing."He he, how in Junior Hockey, as most every town already made the daily press. It was a. Y pointed out the damage such big thrill to see his nameon the sports page of the' Galt Reporter. "You of the weekly press," ®Mr. Meeker said, "have established a tradition of community service that has earned for you a most influential position inyour home towns.,` It isa dog-gohe 'importan't job -you are doing, anti I urge you,. plead with you, to maintain that position. Go back to•your home; town's, and use a11'of your hard-won influence to do something for our young people. For the. young of today are being. shamefully neglected...0 one of the most important phases of their development.". Mr.' Meeker was harshly critical of the way "juvenile sports" are being handled. He said•. that today we have a fascination with "spectator sports',' where it takes forty or more people working in an organization to produce . a "game" that can be enjoyed -. by youngpeople, and keep them happily and. in-., structively engaged during their leisure hours. "But we are not," Mr. Meeker said "teaching them games and pastimes that . they can enjoy with a single friend, or a small group. offriends.. A group that they can organize themselves, at their con- venience, any time, and on very short notice." Tennis and golf, Mr. Meeker said, were areas of deficiency. He Went on to tell of his ©vin experiences with golf. "1 had;" Mr. Meeker said, "come, to the social position where golf was mandatory. All of the people with. whom I was doing business or associating with, played golf. I hated the game. I was a 'busy golf player. But I said to myself :Meeker, you are going to have to play golf, and so you might as well learn to enjoy it.' So I took lessons from the Club, Pro.,. school gyms should stay open and 'I can now boast of my had bowling . greens. main- bus -spent -time was doing to ficials; and civil servants, to would move up from our low scores,, and I -really do enjoy tained', and seeing very little our young... people, mentally get .; more use from gym- : ,position in the athletic .world; "the game." 4 . service. By developing an and physically, and how little nasiums, and have them open be a healthier, happier Meeker continued, 'that at interest in . games, be theywas being done to com- . until midnight, every day of nation, and dQ much to sofle this late stage of line, my wife card gameschess,or pensate for this loss. the. •week, as the citizenry of our ., young people's recreational • problems, . and guide them into happy and healthy .ways of spending their. leisure hours. With activity so directed: "Who 'knows," Mr. Meeker said, " we may also bit upon the solution of our terrible. crime, violence, and drug abuse problems'?" • and I enrolled in a tennis club, billiards, games that require Selecting a , boy from the the areamight require.' took lessons, learned the finer but two or four players, we head table, he asked how He pleaded with newsmen points of the game, and really can, Mr: Meeker said: "Keep many periods of "phys ed" to carry his message back enjoy playing together, or our youngsters out of . this student was taking. It home to ' all citizens, and with a pair of friends. We set restaurants, where they ,fit was verified that he had two particularly to active_ our alarm clock atthe most for hours, shattering their ear ", periods, forty minutesn each • members of service clubs. In ungodly early • hours. drums with 'Juke Box'. week. It took half of that time doing this, Mr:' Meeker Something like 5 a.m., so that volume; eating 'junk food', to change from class -room; pointed out, possibly a few we can get up on 'a cool and smoking cigarettes .,.. I clothes to gymn suit and 'seeds so planted might take summer morning and have a hope! back. So this small amount of root, So that we Canadians rousing set of singles before Bussing children to schools 'time was cut in half by breakfast? These games are was another area where Mr. dressing -room activity. It ,'. what we should be teaching Meeker said We have made a was, also learned that the our youngsters Not.. games `terrible mistake : He recalled, Worse ** not. compulsory, that require' Massive 'his childhood. where .:he :. the student could; and Many organization; "adult par- walked several hours each 'of his class -mates had, `opted ticipation and planning, day, to.and from school. "The out' of even this marginal before they can'be enjoyed." most natural -and best study of physical develop - Another recreational game physical fitness -program that ment. Mr. .Meeker selected was. I could ever have enjoyed." In his conclusion, Mr, lawn bowling, "Why is this Turning to a teen-age girl at Meeker pointed out . the wonderful game connected the head table, he asked her tremendous investment all only with what we might call • to tell the audience how many ' towns . had in school. gym - Senior Citizens He men- hours a day she spent on .a' nasiums. • These lie idle on tinned that young ,peo- ,le.went school bus. Totally these weekends, during holiday or ,for carpet bowling' like the hours over a school term, Mr. "break" periods, and he proverbial duck to water, and Meeker carne up with . a tajlied'this.all up to a total of suggested that lawn staggering total time this something in excess of three months of every year. He urged weekly publishers to "lobby" with . elected of- "For 'Reservations for dinner PHONE 524-6205 1 2:00 NOON 1:00 A.M.. DRESS 'REGULATIONS NO JEANS ALLOWED AFTER 6i00 P.M. JACKETS REWIRED Harbour Park Irin 166 West .Street w GO D E R I C H 3 -620$ ,YTAG • AUTOMATIC WASHERS & DRYERS • PORTABLE WASIHERS. & DRYERS • WRINGER WASHERS • „ • PORTABLE. & BUILT-IN DISHWASHER • 'IN .SINK FOOD' WASTE DISPOSERS From the DependabiIity People at:- - H UTC H INSON APPLIANCES . TRADE INS ACCEPTED 308 HURON RD. 524-7831 Suncoast Mall, Goderich 524-4884 HEAVY DUTY Garbage Bags 1.5 ML. SPECIAL 5 8.c SCOTT Paper. Towels LIPTON'S JOHNSON 8; JOHNSON Baby Oil SPECIAL JOHNSON 8, JOHNSON SPECIAL $. • 88 also ML. Sole Prices Effective From Thurs., Oct. 21st. to Mon. Nov. 1st WE RESERVE THE.,R1GHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES • MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M. SATURDAY OM A.M.-9:00 P.M.