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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-12-27, Page 14PAGE 14-GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1979 Ontario -made Christmas tree stand irks Goderich police chief OPEN LE'PFER The Manager, Tree Stand Manufac- turer, City, Ontario. Dear Sir: I am not happy this pre - festive season. Today, following the Santa Claus parade in Goderich my wife, daughter and I went out into the countryside and purchased a spruce tree to our liking. I had wanted an ar- tificial tree but my wife wanted a real tree; so, we compromised and I bought one as it stood majestically in the bush. Dragging it back to our car my daughter 'and I sang, in rather a Dickensian manner, "bringing home the Christmas tree"...even though it was not actually Christmas Eve. All was well. The true spirit of Christmas prevailed. Rather than use • a -bucket filled with rocks to hold upright our tree as in previous years, my wife suggested that such an ,e Not yet .s.. • from page 6 well-being. It will snap when we come back from behind the looking glass and begin paying world prices for oil. Mind you, the release of the tension and the return -to reality is deeded to set Canada on a solidly based pattern of true economic growth. Thus, 1980 may be a year of hard times necessary to get the economy on the road to "steady im- provem ent". Further long term straightening out of our economic situation could occur .. if Canada is allowed to float to its own viable economic level. In this I am referring to the (Financial Times, Nov. 5, 1979). Bouey's seeming assumption that Canada's economic future is tied inseparably to that of the United States, the basis of his monetary policy, is totally false. Bouey argues ---that-- if -interest rates are lower than those in the U.S., capital will flow out of Canada into the high -yielding U.S. markets, thus pushing down the Canadian dollar, and forcibly raising our in- terest rates anyway due to a squeeze on the funds available to lend in Canada. What Bouey does not see is that this phenomenon does not always occur in such a situation. Look at West Germany. North Americans are willing to invest in it, despite in- terest rates there much lower than those in 11 Canada or the U.S. This willingness is due to the fact that the investors do elegant tree would look elegant tree look better in a tree stand. Off we went to the local store to purchase same. The first one we examined looked frail so we decided to get a more expensive and sturdier type; one that would last for those proverbial "years". The box read "Christmas Tree Stand. Four legs for stability. Large ring - stands any tree!! These words, though not underlined on the box indicated clearly that this was the stand to buy: "Stands any tree" then surely, I thought, it will' hold my spruce tree and all of its three-inch diameter, seven -foot high trunk with its 36 protruding branches, countless branchlets, hundreds of leaflets (?) and their thousands upon thousands of needles attached thereon. We bought it! This was our first mistake. When I got the stand home I attempted to get it together. Rather a not expect inflation to erode their investment. Canada has the potential to be a "sound currency" country, if we would only let it. We have a great many assets, particularly in the area of energy supply, and if our economic policies, in- cluding monetary policy, were managed with more sagacity, perhaps the other countries in the world would see that we are substantially dif- ferent from the U.S. Our economy is naturally more stable than that in simple, elementary rhino simple, elementary thing according to the picture on the box. I got three legs on but, try. as I may, the fourth one would not fit. Then, after several very frustrating attempts ended in failure I discovered that the hole in the leg, through which the retaining screwbolt goes had been drilled about 15 mm too far down and no attempt, rib matter how Herculean, was going to get the leg bolted to the ring. This was my second mistake. I 'had bought something proudly stamped "Made in Canada". This, I had imagined was testimonial enough to warrant a purchase. Not only was it made in Canada but it was made in Ontario. Double -good I thought. "A place to stand, etc." was per Roberto ' Gimby. "Ontario, hairy, airy, .. Oh". Mistakes can happen ... so my wife went and got a replacement. The ki7lid man in the store even put the second one together for her to ensure n� ill - drilled hole would stop me this time. The, third mistake was happening. The four metal legs looked like they could hold the General Sher- man sequoia, a gigantic redwood or a mighty Douglas fir. My spruce tree shrank into in- significant, Liliputian dimensions:. Despite this, and the fact I had bought Canadian, I knew that to put too much eight on. one leg while standing the tree upright might, just might, bend the leg..' the LLS.�hut bytrying-to- My daughter, not the rn y g young one whose clear, treble tones had sang with me _as we dragged the tree in bush but her older, larger sister, and I very gently took the weight of the tree and stood it upright ... well, not quite, No. , Our tree was leaning a bit so I checked not through the monetarythropolicy presentf this the base. Low and behold, despiteour efforts i he of country' those four legs "for + + + stability" had actually I think from all of this bent slightly prop up the dollar 'unrealistically and keep in lock -step with the U.S. we have made it appear more unstable. Thus, confidence in it has faltered and con- sequently it has actually become more unstable. This can be undone, but we can draw one major 'It was then the thought conclusion about 1980. It crossed my mind - do the will be a year of economic Ja anese make tree discovery, as with the p stands? myriad factors affecting the world -today, no one First the poorly -drilled really knowfor sure hole, now the weak leg. Still, why what will happen. And legs were still stable. worry?Three that is not even taking into account the Out came the tree. Out possibility of the in- came my vicegrips and, withtroduction of ,,an un- minut a couple of foreseen force, a political minutes, I... had bent the upheaval, the develop- leg into its ' original meet of hydrogen as a configuration and, for viable energy source, or added support, I bent he any one of a thousand the two sides as per the' things. So despite all the original specs Press on analyses and forecasting regardless! being done, there isreally With the bent leg now only one sure thing we as strong as it was when can do. Wait and see. it had been forged (hopefully in some JANUARY Dresses Hamilton area furnace) � furnace) I replaced the tree into the stand. To maintain the rigidity of the weakened leg I added baling twine around the four legs to prevent them from spreading apart. It would help them "stand any tree". • Daughter and I then again, gently, lifted our tree upright - taking care to take the weight off the legs while doing so. With the four legs on the rug we lowered the trunk into had not done its task - it had slid up the legs without retprding the spreading aetion. My spruce tree .... my genuine/out-in-the bush Christmas tree looked rather much like one of those punchbag toys where the bottom is rounded and sand -filled so it always stays upright after a push over. The main difference was that my tree did not spring upright on its own and, somehow, it did not look_ "....do the Japanese make tree stands ?" the bowl and pressed it firmly onto the two ret lining pikes fixed there. While daughter steadying the tree I tightened the four retaining bolts. All secure. Then we let go of the tree. Mistake number four! Immeidately our tree fell over. We stood it up. Released it and it began to fall over again. Checking the base I saw that NOT ONE LEG WAS BENT - not one leg...but, ALL BLOODY FOUR. Bent upwards like 'an inverted flower. Those four legs, built for stability to hold any tree HAD ALL BENT. Fven my hnlincr twine as majestic lying on its side(?),. The lights and decorations would look rather silly in such a position and the topmost star would look like a true falleen star. `Twas then my frustrations caused me to utter some choice old English words of, I believe Saxon ancestry, plus a few remembered Arabiar()urses - being careful because of the close proximity of my daugher's ears. However, I did'nt care. Anyhow she'd probably heard worse and read them in "Catcher in the Rye" and other similar naughty books that until recently were available AS the "Vele Year begins, Join us in a prayer lar sc./Tufty-and hope as the future tintnlr ti. Our gratitude to you .tar y(nrr taithfiil patronage, ' Shirley Kay, Robert and Bonnie Kay Joanne Poelman, Elton'Draper, Doug Jones ecorc±in ±Jo J DRAPERIES PAINTS WALLCOVERINGS Huron Street, Clinton 482-9542 Winter Coats Mia. More Party Dresses GREAT SAVINGS ON OUR JANUARY CLEARANCE SHOP NOW WHILE SELECTIONS ARE BEST! Pants - Sweaters Spo rtswear by Paris Star - Third Dimension Pant Man Elan LADIES WEAR GODERICH SCHAEFER S ON THE SQUARE in our school libraries (sic). - Out came the tree. The stand was flung into the corner to be returned to the store for a refund. No exchange this time. Once bitten, twice shy was my maxim. So, our evening of erecting the tree and decorating same had not been a great side- splitting success. Not because of lack of care on our part. Back to the old method. The bucket was filled with rocks from the garden. I paused to type this letter while my anger was extended and my thoughts were Faustian. - My wife stated that her parents had had `‘much larger trees and that they always used a stand. I remarked that that was in the days when good and, sufficient metals and workmanship went into things and, I ve ltured the guess, her parent's stand - the unbending and very serviceable variety, probably was not made in dear old City, Ontario. However, I suppose I can be thankful for one thing. As your box is printed with the words - Stands any tree - then, I must assume, that my spruce tree is just not ANY tree. It is something special! Monday I'll take,it back for refund. In future I'll not buy your stuff. Do yourself, and your customers a favour: put some good steel and pride in your Christmas tree stands. Then, perhaps, your stand may just hold a tree. Merry Christmas - but not with your stand. To parody that well- known television com- mercial about a certain ti, tea "Made ' only in Canada eh? (Bloody) Pity" Yours in good "standing", P.D. King SAVE ENERGY and Insulate U.F. Foam 8. Filer Insulation Serving HuroonCounty 15 years COMPARE...CONTACT STEWART'S ALUMINIUM 8 INSULATION 207 Huron Rd. Goderich 524-8821 NEW HIGHER PRICES WA;NTED HARRISON STONEHOUSE ANTIQUES NOW PAYS MORE FOR SILVER COINS, GOLD COINS, DIAMONDS AND ANYTHINGMADE OF GOLD OR SILVER Arrangements can be made for con- sultations in the privacy of your own home. 900 °r, 900 WE ALSO BUY Old Gold, Sterling Silver, Franklin Mint, Pocket., Watches, Any Other Coins or Collectables WE PAY THESE HIGH PRICES for CANADIAN SILVER COINS DIMES, 1966 or before 90` each DIMES, 1967 and 1968 (silver) 50` each QUARTERS, 1966 or before 52.25 each QUARTERS. 1967 a.lotcL.1968 (silver) .. . .... . .:. . ............ , 03 .25 each 50` pieces, 1967 or before $4.50 each SILVER DOLLARS, 1967 OR BEFORE ... . $10.00 each OLYMPICS WE BUY ALL 1976 ISSUES, SERIES 1-7 $63.75 per set ....,�- •tea , 8 WE PAY HIGHER PRICES for U.S. SILVER COINS HALVES, 1964 or before QUARTERS, 1964 or before ,DIMES, 1964 or before ' KENNEDY HALVES, 1965-1969 SILVER -WARTIME NICKELS, 1942-45 SILVER DOLLARS, 1878 - 1935 $4.50 each $2.25 each 90` each $1.35 each 50' each $10.00 each (Silver Dollars must not have holes, lettering must be readable) Bullion Prices Subject to Change Due to Volatile Market WE BUY We buy all types of Military items (swords, daggers, medals, etc.) and awards PAPER MONEY_ Canadian and Chartered Bank Notes. Top prices pail for 1935 and prior issues. 1937 notes in new condition also needed. Shin- plasters and old bank documents wanted. WE BUY FOREIGN COINS Dutch, German, Russian, French, Mexican, British, ar 1 all other countrii i DENTAL GOLD OLD GOLD BRIDGEWORK, PLATES, CAPS, WE PAY `7.65RER GRAM (MUST BE CLEAN)'' STERLING We pay cash for all sterling silvenor European Continental silver, spoons, forks, knives, plates, trays, tea services, candlesticks, jewelry, etc. GOLD SCRAP We pay cash for any gold marked 9K, 10K, 14K. 18K, 22K. We buy broken or out -of style rings, bracelets, jewellery of all sorts, watches, bullion, nuggets. We pay '3.65 per gram and more (according to karat). FRANKLIN MINT MEDALS AND ART BAR SETS We buy all individual and complete sets of silver medals, and art bars, whether Franklin Mint or other private mints. FIV CENT SILVER 1858 to 1908 50` up 1875 to 1884 20.00 1909 to 1920 1921 NICKELS 1922 to 1936 06 1925 12.00 1926 N6 1,10 1926 F6 35.00 35c 900.00 REMEMBER - WE BUY 1. Foreign Paper Money 2. Foreign Colns 3. World Gold Coins 4. Collector's U.S. Paper Money 5. Colloctor's Canadian Money 6. Newfoundland Silver and Gold Coln. 7. All U.S. Coins 8. Olympic Gold and Silver Coins CONDITIONS OF SELLING 1. All Items bought and paid for In cash. 2. Due to market fluctuation, pricer on old gold and silver bullion Items are subject to change without notice. All other prices guorontoed for the duration of this event.' 3. All coins and stamps must be In at leost minumum condition In our opinion, in order fol us to purchase them. WE PAY IMMEDIATE CASH REMEMBER: NO COLLECTION IS tOO SMALL OR LARGE FOR OUR CONSIDERATION ry PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN COINS HARRISON STONEHOUSE ANTIQUES OF CLINTON PHONE 482-9138 LOCATED 2.8 MILES EAST OF CLINTON FROM THE STOPLIGHTS