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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-08-18, Page 6GE ODE' ll NA -SEAR, THURSDAY, AUGUST 18,1977. •C A - STAR r The County Town Newspaper of Huron Edunded In DM and published every Thursday at Dederick. Ontario. Member of the C1j NA and OWNA. Advertising rates on request. Subscriptions payable In advance 112.00 In Canada, $15.50 to 11.8,A., 120,00 to all other cowitries, single copies 25 cents. Display" advertising rater availabk ow request. Please ask for Rate Card No. 7 effective Oct. 1. 976. Second class mall Registration Number 0710. Advertising is accepted un the con- dition that. in the event of typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item. together with reasonable allowance for signature, wW set be charged for butthe balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of 'Jt'1Miuliiatiitieai'1e. 41tfaliafag-1Pr4to .servicer.at.a...wrorg.prlce,,good4.orservice.. may nut be sold. Advenlsingls merely an offer tosell, and may istriWtidtt 0ansitany time. The Signal -Star is not responsible for.the-loos or damage of unsoltclted manuscripts or photos. Published by Signal -Star. Publishing. Ltd.' ROBERT G. SHRIER — president and publisher SHIRLEY J. KELLER,— editor EDWARD J. BYRSKI — advertising manager Mailing. Address; P.O. BOX 220, Industrial Park, Goderich Second class mail registration number — 0716 Business and Editorial Office TELEPHONE 524-8331 area code 519 Sign of the times The new road signs along the highways are all in kilometres now, not miles. For most motorists who°•,want to know how far it is from Point A to Point B, the great mental conversion takes place and someone in the car multiplies the kilometres by roughly two-thirds to come up with the distance with which everyone is familiar. By September, all the road signs across Canada will be changed to kilometres. It's the next step in Canada's gradual con- version to metric measurement which began in 1971 and should be completed by 1980. The joy of the metric system...if there is one . is in its simplicity and universality. It is simple -because all relationships between the various units in the system work in powers of ten. It is universal because most countries in the world use metric, Canada now being the new member of the metric team. • At least one citizen in the province is upset by the Ontario government's decision to change the road signs over to metric without a_ "phase-in" period showing the miles per hour or the distance in miles. Mel Swart, MPP for Welland -Thorold warned in an open letter to The Hon. J.W. Snow, Minister of Transportation and Communications for Ontario, there will be confusion and perhaps even some danger unless the dual information is posted. He says that speed limits, distances and bridge clearances should be posted in both the metric system and the present system for at least one year. "The transfer to the metric system generally is going to create'.? 'al difficulty for many people and the transition should be smoothed as mucn as possible" Swart said. "In the change from Fahrenheit to Celsius, the temperature in both systems has been provided for more than two years. It is difficult to understand why you are treating road signs so differently." Swart says the arguments and adv`1dnced by the MTC regarding inadequate space on the signs for both bits of information "simply do not hold up under examination., He has urged the MTC to reconsider the policy of •a fast and clean change -over in this instance. It is true that for a year or more in some areas, the distance in kilometres has been showing up along with the mileage signs. There may even be the chance that since the switch to Celsius, citizens are becoming more accustomed to the whole metric muddle and will be less frazzled by this latest change. The cost of converting all the road -signs must be astronomical and _the MTC may be well advised to take all the crutches away from motorists, launching them immediately and mercilessly into driving the metric way. Remember. The speed limit in built up areas is probably 50 km -h and 100 km -h on the open road will earn you a speeding ticket. —SJK Food for thought A recent study by the Ontario Hospital Association and the Ontario Dietetic Association shows that in spite of this province's affluence and abundant supply of cheap food, many people suffer from malnutrition. In fact, that's the sad case right across Canada. The study has resulted in the production of something called the Diet Manual which gives increased prominence to the normal nutritional requirements of healthy in- dividuals based on the findings of recent research into the areas of general nutrition and diet therapy. There is,' for instance, a chapter on vegetarian diets because of the increasing interest in such diets. There is also a new chapter on the high fibre diet because of the , evidence that has come to light about the dangers of lack of fibre in the diet and the fact that many Canadians do not eat enough high fibre foods. There is in- formation in the manual which shows that the traditional bland or milk diet formerly used in the treatment of ulcers and other gastric disorders has disappeared because that kind of a diet does not in fact promote the healing of an ulcer. There are diets used in the treatment of different illnesses such as kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes. There are low fat diets, low salt diets, low residue diets and many more. There are even chapters on the nutritional support of cancer patients and those with alcohol or drug addiction. With diet so obviously important to the health and well-being of Canadians, it is a little disappointing that the Huron County Board of Education isn't more concerned about the nutritional value of the food served in the school cafeterias. News last week revealed that the Huron board has no immediate intention to offer students' things like salads, fresh raw vegetables and fruits, fruit juices and natural desserts not to mention high fibre foods such as brown bread and bran muffins. There isn't any real explanation as to why better foods aren't to be made choices at the high school cafeterias, only the reply that the cafeterias are leased to concessions over which the board has little control at the present time. Surely it is the responsibility of the board to make certain students in Huron have available' to them in the school cafeterias good, wholesome food. Just as students are introduced to Shakespeare, they should also be introduced to something other than French fries,• cokes and hamburgs. Cafeteria operators might be amazed -at the enthusiasm there would be for a lunch of vegetable soup, a crisp salad, a tart apple and a glass of milk if it were offered to -students. —S.J.K. Won't hurt a bit Submissions to the Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning are in technical language, usually abbreviated — kWh (kilowatt hours) kv (kilovolts)— and, words like "gauss" (unit ofmagnetic in- duction) . Laymen don't understand the terms and Ontario Hydro, sensitive to the public it serves, knows this, too. One Hydro submission, titled Tran- smission and Land Use, explained that, really, no ill effects will result from high- voltage transmission lines, crossing a farmer's property. In this paper, Hydro said: ' "Under a 500-kv line with' minimum clearance of 40 feet at the centre of the sag between towers, the electromagnetic field is about .5 gauss and ' the . electrostatic potential is about five kv per metre." In the .next breath,' in down-to-earth terms, Hydro put it simply: "To put this in perspective, elec- tromagnetic fields for some common household appliances might be noted. A soldering iron or common hairdryer has a field of 10 to, 25 gauss; a can opener, fluorescent desk lamp, kitchen range and electric shaver have fields of five to 10 gauss; and a color television, food blender, electric drill or portable heater have fields of one to five gauss, all much higher and subjecting, most people to much greater exposures than that of a transmission line." Put simply: That overhead line won't hurt a bit. Flower design by Jennifer Culbert BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER Last winter at the newspaper convention, one of the door prizes was a box full of Christmas wrappings... ribbons, tags, stickers, bows, the whole' shot. The lucky winner was none other than my husband and upon returning, home from the convention; the_..�box was stored in the closet, up high where from time to time it slips from its perch and reminds everyone that Christmas time is coming again sometime. It is too early in Augaisto think about Christmas:.. wet, for most people at least. But this week, there was a letter in the mail from Irwin Toy Limited saying that the company is taking its- Christmas orders now and is doing a great business. That' coupled with a blow to the head by that box of Christmas wrapping, set me to thinking. One of the big sellers this Christmas according to Irwin's will be a new game called 'Othello'. According to the manufacturer, it is a game of "strategic manoeuvres" a bit more DEAR difficult to play than checkers, a little easier than chess and a little less chancy than backgammon. Othello was introduced from Japan into 'theTnited .,States for ` last year's Christmas selling qpd it became the largest elling, new 'game in its first year. Similar success is hoped for in Canada. Already over $1,11.0040.0 is advance, .orders. for the Christmas season have been taken by salesmen ° across the country for the new game. • "This may be the largest advance sale of any game in ,Canada," said Mac Irwin, Executive Vice -President of the company. "We hope that Othello catches on this year as it did in so many other countries and that it sur- passes chess, checkers and backgammon as a national pastin>e." F -I- -i- It just boggles the mind to think that a toy company can . sell $1,000,000 worth of one single game... and that the consuming public will ac- tually spend probably $2,000,000 give or take a half - million or so more, to pur READERS chase the game for their families and friends. It should give some indication of the billions of dollars 'which are spent during December in Canada to celebrate the holidays... and tell something of the story concerning the nation's Christmas trees laden with gifts and goodies. Irwin Toy isn't through yet, either. To help promote the game Othello, the company; is sending a °young, attractive Japanese girl, dressed in a kimono, from coast to coast in Canada to explain, the game in shopping malls, stores and to media personalities. Twenty-year old Noreen Hoita has already visited Yorkville, the Colonnade, the Eaton Centre and the Toronto -Dominion Centre in Toronto. About now, she is taking off for V-ictoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg. When she returns from that jaunt, she will be visiting other centres in Ontario before turning her attention to "down east". By the time Irwin and Noreen are finished," half the country will be panting to buy the game... and 'will feel` deprived if their home does not have an Othello board to drag out to impress their guests. Maybe Othello will do something to heal the rift which has developed in Canadian homes. Something that will get the family doing things together is badly needed.. A British professor said not'iong- ago, "Housing, however, imperfect, has never been better; but for many people home has never meant less." A release from the United Church of Canada said, "Homes today are primarily dormitories and private restaurants and places to stay while the car is being repaired." Doctor Karl Menninger, a well-known and influential psychiatrist has warned, "Swamping a child with advantages is often a sub- stitute for giving him time, interest, companionship and love." While games aren't the magic elixer where troubled homes are concerned something about a sitting down together a common interest game, that serves mom and dad and closer together. Som closest families I' known have spent,h hours playing ca Monopoly or Snak Ladders or crokinole about any game competitive yet fun_, watching televisi crawling off intoa with some book. Itt family together, ge talking, gets them and helps , them to municate better ev the game is over. So perhaps this Othello... or soma game... should be on shopping lists this C And when your son sa chilly evening this "Hey Dad, let's have of Othello".... you'll p the newspaper and the news for some re to -head contact wi boy. Who knows? Th may not be all tha stand to win. Reacquainted Dear Editor, Thank you for sending me so promptly, the address for which I had asked. And thank you for your kind comments on my visit to Goderich. I assure you it was heart- warming to be greeted by so' many ex -students., I am enclosing my cheque for twelve dollars ($12.00) and I would ask you to send me the Signal -Star for the year. I subscribed to the Signal, and then to the Signal - Star, for many years and only gave it up when I no longer recognized the names. DEAR Now that l have been back to Goderich and have .become acquainted again with people and businesses, I know I can enjoy reading the paper each week. If the subscription could start back with the July 28 issue, I would appreciate it. Thank you for your kind attention to all my requests. Sincerely, Mabel -Powell Prescott. Thanks to all Dear Editor: The members of the Jubilee 3 Co-Ordinating Committee EDITOR wish to extend . to all the citizens of Goderich, the Sub Committee Chairman, Town - Council, the Industries of Goderich, the Service Clubs of Goderich, and all those many, many others who participated by their efforts and assistance to. make,the main two weeks of the Jubilee 3 Celebrations of the Town's 150th Birthday the tremen- dous success that it was. As this.; is an ongoing Celebration to December 31, 1977, it is the hope of the committee that we shall have the continued support of the Town's people in the up- coming , events such as the dignitary visits which are planned. With this continued support and assistance we are sure that the year 1977 will be one not to be forgotten by citizens of Goderich and visitors. Once again, many, many thanks to all of you from all of the members of the Co- Ordinating Committee. Yours sincerely, P. Spence, Secretary, Jubilee 3 Committee. • Carney coverage Dear. Editor, I just want to say thank you to your paper for its of our Carnival For Dystrophy. I think helped to get the p come. Our total rece $57.7,6. Some of this was donated and 1 thank all the people donations and all (and adults) who ca My helpers and: enjoyed the two wee you again. Jam Carnival More letters to onpage6 anc yb in 1- a ov it amc the. at: s7 no o dy suri e du rese Edu of'. agar inch fora wye han rmel ia1 gar n on. Chi the 'egir hat they two ,S by d ov in 14 cs that to se fr s C reviJue hed cell 75 YEARS AGO John Morrison McLeod, better known as Dr. McLeod, passed away early last Friday morning and the, report of his death was a great shock, to the com- munity, as But few people knew he was seriously ill. The doctor was one of the best known men in Huron and Bruce, and by reputation was known through Western Ontario and in many parts of the Western States, where for a quarter of a° -century his medicines Were freely used. • LOOKING BA Now that the Grand Trunk Company are erecting a new and modern station and propose making yard --ex- tensions, it would be in keeping with the times to rebuild the weather worn and badly decaying dock controlled by the Company. The rebuilding and repairs of the harbor dock, are 'progressing very slowly, but probably as fast as the limited . number of hands employed will permit. With the freight and passenger traffic this season, both by 'boat:and raij, considerable inconvenience has been felt. 25 YEARS AGO. . • Official attendance figure at the Lions Club bingo at the arena on Thursday night; last was 1,574, the largest crowd at a Lions bingo in. the area so far. . Principal A.R. Scott ' of GDCI announced that ad- ditional scholarships have been awarded to Collegiate students on the basis of the work of the 1951-52 term,. The Maple Leaf Chapter t..0.t .E. $100 bursary for furthering education beyond Grade 13 goes to Joan Killough, daughter of Mrs. Edna Cowan, Cambridge Street. The Ahmeek Chapter I.O.D.E. $100 scholarship for Normal School has been won by Prances Brereton, Quebec Street. Both these students plan to attend Normal School this fall.. `1 YEARS AGO A team of Gnderich athletes travelled to Kitchener - Waterloo last Saturday for the all -Ontario Legion Track and Field meet but' only one athlete returned with it win. Tim McGee, son Q(, Mrs. Alvin McGei two silver medals place) for shot andel Fire roared th barns last Sunday on the farm of Lea RR 2, Clinton, kill' calves and ea estimated $80,000 ' Steven Ruxton grand prize winner when the Goden Department in c.. with the playgroup° the recreation sored a bicycle r received a new est New n poi on 0 or. erko, ricer f Ste mut Was Yea e'wot Y poi tht