HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-03-09, Page 4E
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March 9,
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Published at Wingham, Ontario, h. Wenger Bros. Limited
Barry Wenger, President
Henry Hess, Editor
Robert 0. Wenger, Sec.-Treas.
Audrey Currie, Advertising Manager
Member Audit Bureau of'Circulations
Member - Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc.
Subscriptions S20.00 per year
Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821
Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc.
Six months SI 1.50
Return postage guaranteed
Commendable
The Ontario March of Dimes and
Project A.I.M., a local organization for
the physically disabled, are the co-
sponsors of a Canada Community De-
velopment project in the Grey -Bruce
area. It will be known as the Disability
Awareness Program and is running for
a period of 52 weeks, starting from
February 14. Based in Owen Sound, the
project has an initial staff of four, two
of whom are physically disabled.
The project has two main objec-
tives. The first section of the program,
to be implemented during the school
year, is to develop the awareness of
students to the problems disabled
people face in day-to-day life and to en-
courage a more positive attitude to-
ward people who have a disability.
The second objective is to make
employers more aware of the abilities
of disabled persons and their capacity
to be productive and responsible em-
ployees. This part of the program will
project
be carried out during the summer
months.
Society has come a long way from
the cold days, when a person with a
physical disability was the butt of jokes
and pranks, but we still have a long
way to go. Younger children, in partic-
ular, must learn early in their lives that
cruelty, either physical or verbal, to
the handicapped is just not acceptable.
Teachers and parents share the re-
sponsibility for this important aspect of
young childhood education.
Many employers have already
learned that partially -disabled people
make some of their most faithful and
productive workers. In their effort to
succeed in the world of business,
handicapped persons usually prove
exceptionally eager to learn and to
perform satisfactorily. the great need
in this area is to locate those businesses
and industries in which the disabled
can be fitted with maximum efficiency.
Award-winning newspapers
It was highly gratifying to Wenger
Publications that two of its newspapers
were award winners at the recent
Ontario Community Newspapers As-
sociation convention in Toronto. The
awards area fitting tribute to the ex-
cellent staff members who are chiefly
responsible for the high quality of the
publications which received this rec-
ognition.
The Mount Forest Confederate and
The Wingham Advance -Times were
placed second and third respectively
for general excellence in their cate-
gory. The Almonte Gazette was in first
place and deserves our congratula-
tions.
In addition to the second place
award for general excellence The Con-
federate won top spot for its editorial
page as well as for the excellence of its
advertising content.
The general calibre of community
newspapers (as opposed to dailies) has
improved tremendously over recent
years. Although a portion of the credit
must go to the sophisticated electronic
typesetting machinery which has be-
come available, the most important
single reason for the improvement is in
the quality of staff personnel we are
able to employ. Much more emphasis is
now placed on sound professional jour-
nalism than was the case when the edi-
tor was forced to be a typesetter, print-
er and janitor as well as the business
manager of a small newspaper. At
times his responsibilities as a reporter
and editor fell away behind his other
more pressing duties.
A successful community news-
paper is a three-way partnership. In
addition to a competent staff and a
well-equipped plant, the modern news-
paper must have a loyal following of
subscribers and the support of local
advtisers. If any of these ingredients
are lacking the newspaper disappears,
as has been the case with so many
papers in the villages and smaller
towns.
Our job is to provide the high
quality of newspapers which this year's
awards indicate we have been doing.
Home versus hospital
There has been considerable inter-
est of late in the idea that babies should
be born at home. The midwives'
organization puts forth many argu-
ments in favor of a child entering this
world in his mother's bed. However, a
Kitchener doctor recently pointed out
some of the obvious fallacies in this
argument.
That there should be more family
participation in the birth of a baby is an
acknowledged fact and most modern
hospitals have accepted the presence of
the father in the delivery room if that is
what both parents want. Hospital visit-
ing hours have been made a great deal
more flexible so that family relation-
ships will not be unnecessarily inter-
rupted during a mother's stay in hos-
pital.
The Kitchener doctor, however,
points out that any delivery can sud-
denly become complicated, demanding
skills and equipment which would not
be available in the home. Since our
hospitals are prepared to meet all such
emergencies, it makes nothing but
sense to provide this protection for both
mother and new baby.
One of the great'biessings of life in
a small community is the fact that
most of them gave their own hospitals,
by now well equipped to provide excel-
lent health care. It is difficult to under-
stand what real advantage there would
be in refusing to take full advantage of
our good fortune.
The functionally illiterate
Despite the king's ransom which is
poured into education in this country
there is something seriously wrong
with our training system. You may or
may not have had personal experience
with a young person who turned out to
be sorely lacking in the basic mental
skills which are the foundation of any
person's education, but there are many
such people. One of the most recent
with whom we have had contact was a
young graduate of a three-year course
in journalism at one of our community
colleges. Despite the fact that the Eng-
lish language is the key to his chosen
profession he could not spell words
which should have been an easy test for
a Grade 8 student.
Several universities, recognizing
that this phenomenon, have established
pre -entrance examinations for those
who seek post -secondary education —
and as many as 30 or 40 per cent of ap-
plicants fail.
Now upper-level educators are be-
ginning to pay more attention to this
obvious gap in our educational system.
It has been learned that well over one
million (perhaps as many as three mil-
lion) Canadians are functionally illit-
erate. In other words they cannot write
or read English at any more than a
Grade 8 level. Many, indeed, cannot
read and write at all. When they can,
these people bluff their way through
life, losing jobs and living a self-con-
scious existence.
Remedial courses, in which spe-
cialized teachers concentrate on the in-
dividual's problem, are highly effec-
tive. In a matter of months a young
person can be taught to understand and
employ the written (and printed) lan-
guage, thus opening the door to new
and wider opportunities.
Failure to learn reading and writ-
ing is not just ordinary stupidity. 11
springs from a mental problem which
prevents the student from relating vis-
ual images on paper to the sounds he or
she hears or speaks.
The teacher who recognizes that
the child has a learning disability
seldom has the time or means to deal
adequately with the problem. By 1985,
however, the regulations will require
that specialized teachers be available.
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*TER' F_LEVEN) 4 GWTI/E Jae,
AT LEAST WA*S*F HAD ENOI/6y6EN5E ? PACK iriN !
Items from 01
MARCH 1936
The Wingham High School
Board appointed trustee
Capt. W. J. Adams as their
delegate to the meeting of
the Ontario Educational
Association which will be
held at Toronto during
Easter week.
C. R. Yeoman of the
Dominion Bank staff,
received word that he had
successfully passed his
examination to become a
Fellow of the Canadian
Bankers' Association.
Bobbie Hickey, while
working at Cook's factory on
Monday, backed into a pile of
lumber and a long sliver slid
under his scalp. Dr. W.
McKibbon removed the
splinter.
James Weir, a former
student oN1e Wingham High
School and a recent graduate
in business administration
from Westervelt School,
London, has been appointed
to the staff of the London
office of Thayer's Limited.
W. H. Rintoul and Sons of
Wingham are building the
cold storage plant at the
Bluevale Creamery. This
should prove to be a benefit
for farmers in this district.
Amos Smith of Morris
Township has gone to
Pinkerton to work on a farm.
MARCH 1948
During the past week,
Gavin Muir has been
building an additional class
room in the Wroxeter United
Church schoolroom. This
was made possible by a gift
ROGUE JUSTICE by
Geoffrey Household
For over 40 years, devoted
readers of Geoffrey
Household have been
wondering what happened to
the hero Rogue Male after
his 1938 attempt to
assassinate Adolph Hitler.
At long last, Mr. Household
has written Rogue Justice, a
hair-raising sequel. Our hero
is back for another shot at
the Fuhrer, but fails again
and is pursued throughout
Europe, Greece and Africa,
where destiny, love and
death combine in an ending
that will have readers
guessing once again about
mour hero's fate.
E.T., THE EXTRA -TER-
RESTRIAL by . William
Kotzwinkle
Little does the divorced
mother of three know that
soon she will be forced to
listen, for her 10 -year-old son
does have someone living in
his closet, and although it
looks like a monster, it is
really far more amazing —
an angelic alien being, 10
million years wise, who has
been stranded from his
extra -galactic mother ship,
amid the terrors, dangers
and blandishments of a
planetary culture too or-
dinary to be understood,
from Mrs. Allen Schott of
Cleveland, in memory of her
mother, Mrs. Bevington, the
former Mrs. Sarah Allen, a
native of this village.
Officers were elected for
1948 at a well -attended
meeting of the Wingham
Horse Show. George Tervit
is president, Dr. K. M.
McLennan vice president,
W. W. Gurney secretary and
G. W. Tiffin treasurer.
At a meeting of Winghaltn
Town Council, building
permits were approved for
Gordon Robinson, a
residence on Frances Street;
William R., Harris, a
residence on Angus and
Charles Streets; John E.
Bumstead, an addition to his
implement shop on. Victoria
Street; and J. A. Maclntyre,
a residence at the corner of
Victoria and Catherine
Streets.
Two of the members of
Maitland IOOF Lodge 119,
who have been members for
over 25 years, W. H. Haney
and Walter VanWyck, were
presented with veterans'
jewels.
MARCH 1959
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burke
will move into their new
home today, the Harry
McGee residence on Frances
Street, which they purchased
recently.
Six boys were invested as
full members of the First
Wingham Scout Troop.
Wilfred Caskanette, Tommy
Deyell, Bill Yeman, Bobby
Crewson, Darryl Gibson and
David Wenger had suc-
cessfully passed their
Tenderfoot tests. They were
invested by Scoutmaster
Alton Adams and Troop
Leader Bob Maclntyre.
At the regular meeting of
the public school board,
members decided to pur-
chase 40 new desks for use in
one of the Grade II rooms.
Files
Mrs. W. T. McLean was
elected the new president of
the Wroxeter Women's In-
stitute at the March meeting
held in the library room of
the community centre.Vice
presidents are Mrs. G.
Howes and Mrs. C. Greig.
Mrs. Thomas Burke is
secretary -treasurer.
MARCH 1969
Belgrave Arena was filled
to capacity for the annual ice
carnival. Receiving prizes
for . best costumes were
Cathy Galbraith, Stephen
Nixon, Bruce Campbell,
Dianne Freethy, Glen
Campbell and Allan Taylor.
A French speaking contest
was held at the F. E. Madill
Secondary School, open to
Grades 10 to 13. Winners
were Ron Sillick (Grade 10),
Joe Kerr (Grade 11), Adele
Tiffin (Grade 12) and Bob
Worrall (Grade 13).
Huron farmers argue
merits of tax proposal
The Huron County Federa-
tion of Agriculture is op-
posed to the proposed farm
tax program, but not unani-
mously.
At a lengthy meeting in
Blyth county federation
members spoke for and
against the provincial
government's proposed tax
rebate program.
Effective in 1984, farmers
will apply for 100 per cent re-
bate on their farm land,
while paying 100 per cent tax
on their homes and farm
buildings.
The proposal also allows
for a 50 per cent rebate for
the land on which the build-
ings are located. At present
farmers apply for a 50 per
cent rebate on their entire
property.
Wingham area farmer Jim
Armstrong said he is op-
posed to the principle of the
tax rebate. He called farm-
ers "stewards of the land"
and said he has fears for the
right to private land owner-
ship if the program becomes
fact.
"i want to clear a point,"
said Mr. Armstrong, "at no
point did I want to divide the
federation (of agriculture),
but I am very, very concern-
ed that the federation has
gone along with this pro-
gram."
OFA regional director
Merle Gunby of RR 2, Dun-
gannon said he resents
charges the federation is
putting something over on its
members. He said the
question of farm tax rebates
has been discussed at least
three times in the past few
years.
"The government is not
paying our taxes. I don't con-
sider it a privilege to pay
taxes, but an obligation."
said Mr. Gunby. "I agree it
is a privilege to live in this
country and pay a fair share
which this policy allows."
Mr. Gunby said voting
against the farm tax propos-
al will "discredit your or-
ganization in the eyes of the
government".
Numerous farmers said
they are willing to pay their'
fair share to the government
for services they receive, but
don't want the government
to have control over their
land.
Adrian Vos from the Blyth
area said the discussion at
the meeting was more emo-
tional than rational. He sug-
gested farmers who don't
want the rebate shouldn't
apply for it.
Huron federation presi-
dent Tony McQuail called for
the farm community to work
together and not spend a lot
of time arguing.
"I think our strength as
farmers depends on our
ability to work together,"
said Mr. McQuail.
After considerable discus-
sion a resolution was ap-
proved calling for the Huron
federation to establish a task
force to set up an alternative
to the present 50 per cent re-
bate. Federation members
were asked to indicate a will-
ingness to sit on the task
force.
.064000.0000006** *4060006 400040
Trees in town are
well worth saving
Dear Editor,
I would like to comment on
some of the statements made
by Mr. Bennett and Mr.
Saxton re: tree cutting, but
first I would like to mention a
few of the benefits of saving
our trees as long as possible.
1. The very obvious beauty
of our tree -lined streets.
They are always commented
on by out-of-town visitors.
2. Trees create a very
moderating effect on our
extreme changes in weather
conditions.
3. Trees create cover and
nesting facilities for our
birds.
4. Trees, along with other
plants and grasses, produce
the oxygen we. breathe.
I was very surprised that
Mr. Bennett thinks the trees
should be cut down, but
maybe we should keep in
mind that he is also a
member of the PUC.
I am very pleased that we
have a tree -planting pro-
gram in .effect, but by Mr.
Bennett's own statement the
older trees are "75 to 100
years old" and it will be
many years before the new
ones are a reasonable size.
All the more reason we
should preserve them as long
as possible. 0
Trees are living, breathing
plants, made up of living
cells, similar to the cells that
make up a human body. As
Mr. Bennett and Mr. Saxton
are "reaching maturity" are
they going to give up trying
to prolong their lives, or will
they seek expert help in
trying to preserve their lives
as long as possible?
Finally, Mr. Bennett's
remark about bringing in a
tree service firm as being too
costly: between the town and
the PUC about $16,000 to
$20,000 has been spent cut-
ting down trees this year.
That is costly. For many
thousands of dollars less we
could have a tree main-
tenance program every year
and still have our fine, older,
mature trees for many years
to come. If we can add 10, 20
or 30 years to the life of
them, we should be doing
everything possible to
achieve that goal.
Remember, only God can
make a tree, but in a few
minutes man can destroy
them.
Bill Crump
Councillor
Wingham
Munro's books are
unfair to Wingham
Dear Editor,
After reading two of Ms.
Alice Munro's books, I felt I
must make a comment.
I was born and raised and
educated in Wingham and
certainly am very proud of
my home town. The town of
Wingham and "Lower
Town" are beautiful places,
the scenery and well -kept
homes by hardworking and
conscientious people. A
reference that the area had
not produced brilliant people
— many lawyers, medical
doctors, teachers, nurses,
veterinarians were born and
educated in Wingham.
National Forestry
Week coming soon
Dear Editor,
It's that time again!
Though this winter has been
like spring, we do expect a
real spring in April, May and
June. That should mean tree
planting, forest fires,
opening cottages, going
camping, swatting flies and
all the usual things.
National Forest Week,
May 1, comes each spring
too, but we'd like to make it
unusual this year in a lot of
ways. One would be to give it
a lot of attention.
Our resources are limited,
but we would like to help in
any way we can. Let me
know how I can help.
Jim Coats
Ontario Forestry Assoc.
Willowdale, Ont
Several have returned to
work in Wingham.
Granted, Ms. Munro has
used fictitious names in her
books, but I readily knew
whom she was writing about
while reading her books.
Some people had passed on
before the books were
published. Others have been
hurt, in fact devastated, as
some are friends of mine and
I know how hurt they were
after reading the book
brought back many sad and
painful memories to them.
Could Ms. Munro not write
something good and kind
about the area and the
people? After all, she was
born and educated there too.
I, for- one person, will be
most happy when I am able
to return to Wingham,
hopefully to live for the rest
of my life.
Jean D. McKinnon
St. Clair Shores
Michigan
PRESS COUNCIL
The Advance -Times is
a member of' the Ontario
Press Council which will
consider written com-
plaints about the publica-
tion of news, opinions
and advertising. If a com-
plaint can't be resolved
with the newspaper, it
should be sent to the On-
tario Press Council, 151
Slater St., Suite 708, Ot-
tawa, Ont. K1P 5H3.
TODAY'S CHILD
BY JUDITH ADAMS
Cynthia is a pretty 11 -year-old who is of Cree
origin and registered Indian status. She needs
commitment from a family where she won't have to
compete with youngsters near her age, perhaps one
in which she is the only child.
Cynthia has had a confused,unstable past and a
lot of experience with rejection. She lacks self-con-
fidence, is moody and aggressive which may in
part be due to adjustments to medication taken to
control epileptic seizures. This medication has been
a success and the moodiness has been improving.
Cynthia is of average intelligence and has good
potential but her emotional problems have, in some
ways, hindered her school work and social
progress. She feels safe playing with much younger
children, as she has felt the sting of being rejected
in h,er own age group. She is in a modified grade 4
wh re she is gaining confidence and receiving a lot
of individual help.
Cynthia can be friendly and co-operative on a
one-to-one basis, and can be a loving, affectionate
little girl when feeling secure. She enjoys crafts and
is involved in a number of activities including
Brownies, which help her to relate better to other
youngsters her own age.
Cynthia is ready for a secure, loving family with
parents who will be patient, resourceful and loving
and who can ride with her emotional and beha-
vioral difficulties. With the right direction and
guidance she can develop into a responsive and
rewarding daughter for her special fart -illy.
To inquire about adopting Cynthia, please write
to Today's Child, Ministry of Community and Social
Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto, Ontario M4P
2H2. In your letter tell something of your present
family and your way of life.
_ -.,,,,
r....`...
Nell' Books
in the Lihrury
74j
„1
.JJV...,•• J1^.
ROGUE JUSTICE by
Geoffrey Household
For over 40 years, devoted
readers of Geoffrey
Household have been
wondering what happened to
the hero Rogue Male after
his 1938 attempt to
assassinate Adolph Hitler.
At long last, Mr. Household
has written Rogue Justice, a
hair-raising sequel. Our hero
is back for another shot at
the Fuhrer, but fails again
and is pursued throughout
Europe, Greece and Africa,
where destiny, love and
death combine in an ending
that will have readers
guessing once again about
mour hero's fate.
E.T., THE EXTRA -TER-
RESTRIAL by . William
Kotzwinkle
Little does the divorced
mother of three know that
soon she will be forced to
listen, for her 10 -year-old son
does have someone living in
his closet, and although it
looks like a monster, it is
really far more amazing —
an angelic alien being, 10
million years wise, who has
been stranded from his
extra -galactic mother ship,
amid the terrors, dangers
and blandishments of a
planetary culture too or-
dinary to be understood,
from Mrs. Allen Schott of
Cleveland, in memory of her
mother, Mrs. Bevington, the
former Mrs. Sarah Allen, a
native of this village.
Officers were elected for
1948 at a well -attended
meeting of the Wingham
Horse Show. George Tervit
is president, Dr. K. M.
McLennan vice president,
W. W. Gurney secretary and
G. W. Tiffin treasurer.
At a meeting of Winghaltn
Town Council, building
permits were approved for
Gordon Robinson, a
residence on Frances Street;
William R., Harris, a
residence on Angus and
Charles Streets; John E.
Bumstead, an addition to his
implement shop on. Victoria
Street; and J. A. Maclntyre,
a residence at the corner of
Victoria and Catherine
Streets.
Two of the members of
Maitland IOOF Lodge 119,
who have been members for
over 25 years, W. H. Haney
and Walter VanWyck, were
presented with veterans'
jewels.
MARCH 1959
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burke
will move into their new
home today, the Harry
McGee residence on Frances
Street, which they purchased
recently.
Six boys were invested as
full members of the First
Wingham Scout Troop.
Wilfred Caskanette, Tommy
Deyell, Bill Yeman, Bobby
Crewson, Darryl Gibson and
David Wenger had suc-
cessfully passed their
Tenderfoot tests. They were
invested by Scoutmaster
Alton Adams and Troop
Leader Bob Maclntyre.
At the regular meeting of
the public school board,
members decided to pur-
chase 40 new desks for use in
one of the Grade II rooms.
Files
Mrs. W. T. McLean was
elected the new president of
the Wroxeter Women's In-
stitute at the March meeting
held in the library room of
the community centre.Vice
presidents are Mrs. G.
Howes and Mrs. C. Greig.
Mrs. Thomas Burke is
secretary -treasurer.
MARCH 1969
Belgrave Arena was filled
to capacity for the annual ice
carnival. Receiving prizes
for . best costumes were
Cathy Galbraith, Stephen
Nixon, Bruce Campbell,
Dianne Freethy, Glen
Campbell and Allan Taylor.
A French speaking contest
was held at the F. E. Madill
Secondary School, open to
Grades 10 to 13. Winners
were Ron Sillick (Grade 10),
Joe Kerr (Grade 11), Adele
Tiffin (Grade 12) and Bob
Worrall (Grade 13).
Huron farmers argue
merits of tax proposal
The Huron County Federa-
tion of Agriculture is op-
posed to the proposed farm
tax program, but not unani-
mously.
At a lengthy meeting in
Blyth county federation
members spoke for and
against the provincial
government's proposed tax
rebate program.
Effective in 1984, farmers
will apply for 100 per cent re-
bate on their farm land,
while paying 100 per cent tax
on their homes and farm
buildings.
The proposal also allows
for a 50 per cent rebate for
the land on which the build-
ings are located. At present
farmers apply for a 50 per
cent rebate on their entire
property.
Wingham area farmer Jim
Armstrong said he is op-
posed to the principle of the
tax rebate. He called farm-
ers "stewards of the land"
and said he has fears for the
right to private land owner-
ship if the program becomes
fact.
"i want to clear a point,"
said Mr. Armstrong, "at no
point did I want to divide the
federation (of agriculture),
but I am very, very concern-
ed that the federation has
gone along with this pro-
gram."
OFA regional director
Merle Gunby of RR 2, Dun-
gannon said he resents
charges the federation is
putting something over on its
members. He said the
question of farm tax rebates
has been discussed at least
three times in the past few
years.
"The government is not
paying our taxes. I don't con-
sider it a privilege to pay
taxes, but an obligation."
said Mr. Gunby. "I agree it
is a privilege to live in this
country and pay a fair share
which this policy allows."
Mr. Gunby said voting
against the farm tax propos-
al will "discredit your or-
ganization in the eyes of the
government".
Numerous farmers said
they are willing to pay their'
fair share to the government
for services they receive, but
don't want the government
to have control over their
land.
Adrian Vos from the Blyth
area said the discussion at
the meeting was more emo-
tional than rational. He sug-
gested farmers who don't
want the rebate shouldn't
apply for it.
Huron federation presi-
dent Tony McQuail called for
the farm community to work
together and not spend a lot
of time arguing.
"I think our strength as
farmers depends on our
ability to work together,"
said Mr. McQuail.
After considerable discus-
sion a resolution was ap-
proved calling for the Huron
federation to establish a task
force to set up an alternative
to the present 50 per cent re-
bate. Federation members
were asked to indicate a will-
ingness to sit on the task
force.
.064000.0000006** *4060006 400040
Trees in town are
well worth saving
Dear Editor,
I would like to comment on
some of the statements made
by Mr. Bennett and Mr.
Saxton re: tree cutting, but
first I would like to mention a
few of the benefits of saving
our trees as long as possible.
1. The very obvious beauty
of our tree -lined streets.
They are always commented
on by out-of-town visitors.
2. Trees create a very
moderating effect on our
extreme changes in weather
conditions.
3. Trees create cover and
nesting facilities for our
birds.
4. Trees, along with other
plants and grasses, produce
the oxygen we. breathe.
I was very surprised that
Mr. Bennett thinks the trees
should be cut down, but
maybe we should keep in
mind that he is also a
member of the PUC.
I am very pleased that we
have a tree -planting pro-
gram in .effect, but by Mr.
Bennett's own statement the
older trees are "75 to 100
years old" and it will be
many years before the new
ones are a reasonable size.
All the more reason we
should preserve them as long
as possible. 0
Trees are living, breathing
plants, made up of living
cells, similar to the cells that
make up a human body. As
Mr. Bennett and Mr. Saxton
are "reaching maturity" are
they going to give up trying
to prolong their lives, or will
they seek expert help in
trying to preserve their lives
as long as possible?
Finally, Mr. Bennett's
remark about bringing in a
tree service firm as being too
costly: between the town and
the PUC about $16,000 to
$20,000 has been spent cut-
ting down trees this year.
That is costly. For many
thousands of dollars less we
could have a tree main-
tenance program every year
and still have our fine, older,
mature trees for many years
to come. If we can add 10, 20
or 30 years to the life of
them, we should be doing
everything possible to
achieve that goal.
Remember, only God can
make a tree, but in a few
minutes man can destroy
them.
Bill Crump
Councillor
Wingham
Munro's books are
unfair to Wingham
Dear Editor,
After reading two of Ms.
Alice Munro's books, I felt I
must make a comment.
I was born and raised and
educated in Wingham and
certainly am very proud of
my home town. The town of
Wingham and "Lower
Town" are beautiful places,
the scenery and well -kept
homes by hardworking and
conscientious people. A
reference that the area had
not produced brilliant people
— many lawyers, medical
doctors, teachers, nurses,
veterinarians were born and
educated in Wingham.
National Forestry
Week coming soon
Dear Editor,
It's that time again!
Though this winter has been
like spring, we do expect a
real spring in April, May and
June. That should mean tree
planting, forest fires,
opening cottages, going
camping, swatting flies and
all the usual things.
National Forest Week,
May 1, comes each spring
too, but we'd like to make it
unusual this year in a lot of
ways. One would be to give it
a lot of attention.
Our resources are limited,
but we would like to help in
any way we can. Let me
know how I can help.
Jim Coats
Ontario Forestry Assoc.
Willowdale, Ont
Several have returned to
work in Wingham.
Granted, Ms. Munro has
used fictitious names in her
books, but I readily knew
whom she was writing about
while reading her books.
Some people had passed on
before the books were
published. Others have been
hurt, in fact devastated, as
some are friends of mine and
I know how hurt they were
after reading the book
brought back many sad and
painful memories to them.
Could Ms. Munro not write
something good and kind
about the area and the
people? After all, she was
born and educated there too.
I, for- one person, will be
most happy when I am able
to return to Wingham,
hopefully to live for the rest
of my life.
Jean D. McKinnon
St. Clair Shores
Michigan
PRESS COUNCIL
The Advance -Times is
a member of' the Ontario
Press Council which will
consider written com-
plaints about the publica-
tion of news, opinions
and advertising. If a com-
plaint can't be resolved
with the newspaper, it
should be sent to the On-
tario Press Council, 151
Slater St., Suite 708, Ot-
tawa, Ont. K1P 5H3.
TODAY'S CHILD
BY JUDITH ADAMS
Cynthia is a pretty 11 -year-old who is of Cree
origin and registered Indian status. She needs
commitment from a family where she won't have to
compete with youngsters near her age, perhaps one
in which she is the only child.
Cynthia has had a confused,unstable past and a
lot of experience with rejection. She lacks self-con-
fidence, is moody and aggressive which may in
part be due to adjustments to medication taken to
control epileptic seizures. This medication has been
a success and the moodiness has been improving.
Cynthia is of average intelligence and has good
potential but her emotional problems have, in some
ways, hindered her school work and social
progress. She feels safe playing with much younger
children, as she has felt the sting of being rejected
in h,er own age group. She is in a modified grade 4
wh re she is gaining confidence and receiving a lot
of individual help.
Cynthia can be friendly and co-operative on a
one-to-one basis, and can be a loving, affectionate
little girl when feeling secure. She enjoys crafts and
is involved in a number of activities including
Brownies, which help her to relate better to other
youngsters her own age.
Cynthia is ready for a secure, loving family with
parents who will be patient, resourceful and loving
and who can ride with her emotional and beha-
vioral difficulties. With the right direction and
guidance she can develop into a responsive and
rewarding daughter for her special fart -illy.
To inquire about adopting Cynthia, please write
to Today's Child, Ministry of Community and Social
Services, Box 888, Station K, Toronto, Ontario M4P
2H2. In your letter tell something of your present
family and your way of life.