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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-11-16, Page 531 1• +C Qi<?1r:R,1C1 SIONAleffAk Thanks A Public "Thank You" to all involved: On behalf of all seamen on our Great Lakes, I want to express my thanks to the town council, the Cemetery Board, and Mrs. Elsa Haydon and the Parks Committee and em- ployees, for their fast response, and co- operation regarding our unidentified seamen's plot in the Maitland Cemetery. I also would like to say thanks to Mr. Gerald Fergusson of T. Pryde Monuments in Exeter who did everything possible to have the engraving done in time for our first Memorial Service. As busy as they were, they still found time, and took advantage of the good weather, to do the engraving before next spring. My thanks also to "Auckie" Chambers of the cemetery staff for finding time to measure out- the full -'size of the •unidentified seamen's plot.: for the new cor- nerstones. The cemetery ,staff were very busy at the time with the cleaning up oi<leaves. Everything that has been done and everyone involved, as well as their interest, is very much appreciated. Thank you. Beginning tomorrow, I am travelling a little further north to see what EAR E:.:.DITOR can possibly be done about another seamen's plot from the Great Storm of November 1913. The plot in question is not marked in any way but hopefully, I will have it recognized as well sometime in the future. As of right now, it looks promising since one or two individuals in their community have ex- pressed interest over the telephone., I will be at- tendipg a meeting in their con}maytnity on November 14. Ronald Pennington. Last name Dear Editor, I don't know if anyone in Goderich will be able to help me or not, but anything is worth a try. I am trying to find out my family's last name. I guess I had better start at the beginning so you will be able to un- derstand my problem and maybe come up with a solution. My father's name was• George "Allen Smith .(at least thatis the name everyone knew him by). He passed away in 1950. What. little information I have, he gave to me before he died. . He was born in Van Buren County, Iowa in 1871. His father, my grandfather; whd went by the name of James Smith, was born in Goderich, Ontario in 1841. His parents came over Dear Readers... • from page 4 Ellen. "There's nothing to say." And apparently Mary Ellen isn't through yet with her plans to lead a full and exciting Life despite society's limitations. She hopes to get back into teaching somewhere a police college perhaps where she could instruct young officers from the other side for a change. "Maybe somebody will hire an ex -bank robber who has written a book," says Mary Ellen, the undaunted one. +++ The thing, of_course, that makes Mary Ellen's story so fascinating for me is that everyone from time to time as a burning desire to kick over the traces and do something absolutely-, and utterly different with this life. Few people have the courage, though, to go through with it. Most of us simply let the urge pass and go back to the routine of being average. Oh, I wish I was more like Mary Ellen. I wouldn't have• the stomach to rob banks or try shoplifting. (although I've been tempted to from time to time in those horrible city department stores where you have to hunt for a clerk before you can pay for a spool of fuschia thread you've picked up.) But some days I wish I could just write The End to one portion of my life and take up something brand new. Maybe become a cook on a shrimp boat. Or open a pencil concession in some romantic European city. Or become a clown on the island of Borneo. Or join an expedition through the wilds of Australia. Or *Alas: I'm no Mary Ellen. I'm doomed to a life •of fitting in wherever I am for Itm a conformist of the most conservative type. Still a story like Mary Ellen's get the old adrenalin pumping through the aging ar- teries and for this one day at least, I'm hopeful I, too, will escape to a new exhilerating life waiting • somewhere for me. - A very sincere Thankyou to the voters in the town of Goderich Your support was very much appreciated. Hairy WqrseIi,: from Ireland in the year 1841 and he was "born shortly thereafter, as his mother was pregnant when she landed. As to the exact date, I don't know. My grandfather, James Smith, ran away from home when he was nine - years -old and signed on as a cabin boy on the ships that travelled between Canada and the U.S. He came home again when he was 18 years old but didn't tell anyone who he was until he was leaving, as he said, "I don't want them crying when I get here as well as when I leave". To my knowledge he never returned. When my father, George Allen Smith(?) was a' youngster, hey was walking on the street one day with his father, James in Iowa when a man approached his father and said they had. been looking for him for a long time. His father, my great-grandfather, had gone to California during the gold rush and evidently struck gold or something and the man said he was entitled to his share. My grandfather replied that he had not helped to earn it, so wanted no part of, it. Something happened during his .early years that made him change his last name or Ishould .say, drop it. My grandfather had three initials tatooed on his arm and when this incident happened, he had the last initial removed and used the middle one as the basis for his last name Smith. So, the only way f can figure out what his name might have been is to go by his first two initials which were J.S. and try to match that with a baby' boy born in the year 1841 whose parents were from Ireland. I know it is far-fetched but maybe someone who has done a little research can come up with an answer. I so want to know what our last name actually is. My father said his folks were Catholic but my grandfather was a Baptist minister in his later years. One other incident that happened that might be recorded somewhere in the archives of your town: a burglar tried to break into my grand- mother's log cabin one tijne and she chopped off his fingers as he tried to crawl in the window. I was in your lovely town in early October on our way back from a convention in New York City. I fell in love with it and hope to return some day and spend some time there. I hope someone will be able to shed some light on my mystery. Any in- formation will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely,. Anne A. Burt 2939 E -42nd ANCHORAGE, AK 99504 Tourism Dear Editor, I want to thank you, your management and staff for participating in the "We Treat You Royally" program. With ...the ..cooperation and support of businesses like yours, we have made excellent initial progress in raising the awareness of the importance of tourism, and improving the calibre of hospitality in Ontario. Results from a ben- chmark research study conducted in August, showthat one person in four had heard about "We Treat You Royally". Over 60 percent of O.P.P. get Commissioner H. H. Graham announces that the Ontario Provincial Police Force has pur- chased three 12 -place Bombardier snowmobiles for use in Southern Ontario snow belts. Powered by an in- dustrial V-8. engine; these machines can be equipped with wheels or skis depending on terrain and snow.. conditions. They may also be used as off-road vehicles during the snow -free months in rough or muddy areas. The new machines will be based at the Force's. Chatham, London and Belleville district headquarters. In this way, they will be° im- mediately available during heavy snowstorms respondents correctly identified the motives of the program, and over 75 percent thought tourism in their area was "very" or ''fairly'' important. • These are impressive results for so early in the program. But there is more to be done. Though the traditional peak months have passed, tourism is a year- round business. Each season presents new opportunities to be friendly to visitors and residents alike. Oktoberfests, fairs and festivals have had people on the go this fall, and soon winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling and carnivals will be bringing people together. "We Treat You Royally" should be there, too, as a special way of saying 'Welcome! This Ministry will continue its initiatives to tie-in with major seasonal -events and special occasions. We look to you W keep your • -involvement •--active too, by making, "We Treat You Royally" the sign of hospitality ' at- special events, meetings and conventions in your area. If you need help with merchandising materials, please contact your ,regional Tourism Consultant, - or• call: -the "Royally Hotline" at (416) 928-8124. . Soon, this Ministry will be introducing . a staff training program for the mobiles experienced in these areas. Police crews will have rescue gear on ' hand in emergencies. The snowmobiles are supplied with an array of survival needs, Citizens' Band' radio • •.,has proved tp,be,an asset in the past, so thenew snowmobiles have a CB radio, in 'addition to the regular police -band radio. During snow emergencies, all the normal means of tran- sportation succumb to the storm... These newly acquired snow vehicles will enable the OPP to conduct complete rescue missions and patrol blocked highways (even at the height of a winter storm). , You'll like our work. Suncoust Malt, Goderich 5243515 Modern ;Styling For The Whole Family ar � , THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL! You'll Iov our prices. THURSDAY, NOV. 16 TO WEDNESDAY,,NOY. 22' EARPIERCING A This Week ONLY Don't forget our I NJO R..C1 "IZ ENS.. SPECIAL very Monday-` `uesday.W dnesday HoURs MON., TUES.,WED.9:30-6, THURS., FR'1 9:304:30 SAT. 9-4 P.M. 4 All letters received by the editor will be published, unless they are considered by legal opinion to be libellous. All letters mast be signed bat pennames will be used on request. Howeuer, should someone call to request the name of the writer, the writer's identity will be revealed tourism industry, designed to assistin the development of hospitality skills among employees. More news about this program will be forthcoming. For now, my thanks for your support and par- ticipation. Your cooperation is very much appreciated. Sincerely, Frederick J• Boyer, Executive Director, Division of Tourism. Success Dear Editor: On behalf of the organizers of the Goderich Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic, we would like to report on the outcome of the recent clinic on Wednesday, November 8th at G.D.C.I. The clinic was a great success. The final count was 348 donors attending, 313 units collected, and 108 new donors. To' everyone "wio 'helped in any way, we wish to express our ap- preciation. To each donor who attended to give the gift of life -thank you. A sincere thank you to Champion Road Machinery Ltd. for its donation of food and refreshments for the clinic and to Erie and Huron Beverages for supplying Coca- Cola.Thank you. Yours truly Judy Hiles Stan Connelly Goderich Blood Donor • Clinic Mr. Geo. Clarke, President of Sun Life of Canada (' ht) congratulates Arnold Stinnissen ' ofi his 20th year with the Company at ' a recent gathering in Burli'ngt'on, Ontario. Mr. Stinnissen who resides in Seaforth represents the company• throughout the area and can be reached at 527-0410. (adv.) my most sincere THANKS to the electors of Goderich for their continued support,,, Dorothy Wallace Luggage by Samsonite t cov Marino Blue Rustico Red Cocoa Brown Camello Tan Indigo Blue Tote Bag -337.50, 20" Carry -On -'57.50 24" Companion -'67.50, 26" Companion -375.50 Three Suiter-'81.0, Gadgeteer '39.50 Caribbea Exotic �olours, flamboyant style. The exciting styling and superb quality of Caribbea set it apart from other softsided •.� `° luggage. It is light and its richly grained, long wearing vinyl surface wipes clean with a damp cloth. `. Caribbea features a heavy-duty polyester zipper that locks together under a s. • .� a wide, top -stitched, continental buckled flap. 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