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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1976-06-17, Page 4A., DVAnC�11�TIMSS nx?: vtiaa 9 The quality must improve A week ago this column expressed the opinion that the "Action" program which has been initiated by the Royal Canadian Legion merits public support and individual promotion. As we mentioned, most of the points which form the basis of the program must eventually be dealt with by our law- makers, but two of them are concerns which lie within the realm of the home and the school. They are "Decline of The Family Structure" and "The Work Ethic". These are, indeed, high-flown phrases— ones which may leave us shrugging off the entire idea of doing anything about such vague and nebulous problems. If the family structure is actually declining, most of us think in terms of the few ignorant and noisy households in any community; the places which the police must visit regularly to keep the peace. What we do not admit is that by far the greatest decline in family values has oc- curred in the more prosperous and socially acceptable families. Adults are fairly clever at hiding or at least camouflaging their shortcomings, but when their children are let loose on the streets the flaws in family structure become shockingly clear. Just the other day we witnessed a commonplace episode right on the main street. A youngster of not more than six or seven was obviously angry with one of his pals. When the latter was at least half a block away the kid shouted a stream of filth that would have curdled the blood of an army muleskinner. This was not an isolated inci- dent—just a little louder and bolder than`the general conversation to be heard from kids of all ages. Family life and the standards of decency have certainly suffered some drastic wounds when youngsters behave this way in public, with never a thought about the character with which they are branding themselves. As you read -this, you have the subcon- scious belief that we are describing someone else's boy or girl. Don't be so sure. Do you really know how your own children behave in public? Do you actually know where and how they spend their leisure hours? Have you, truthfully, devoted any time or concern to differentiating for them the borderline be- tween right and wrong? Yes, agreed, these words make a ser- mon, the sort of message very few of us are willing to accept these days. Our children have learned that if you don't like the subject you don't have to take it—at home or at school. In this new age of personal indepen- dence what one does or says is supposed to be his or her own business. In theory thatis fine; the ideal of the truly free society. In actual fact, however, the freedom to be obscene and destructive is simply not acceptable. History is no longer a popular study, and thus its lessons are either unknown or forgotten, but for those who do know something about the past the indica- tions of inner rot are self-evident. It hap- pened in Greece, it was the same in Rome— and neither of those great civilizations had the wit to observe the pattern which had been set long before in ancient Egypt. Nor should we believe for one moment that because those great empires tottered and fell a few thousand years ago it cannot happen again. There has always been a common denominator in the rise and fall of strong nations—the quality of family life. It was true in Thebes; it was true in Athens; it was just as true in Rome. A young and vigo- rous society, determined to work hard, to stick together, to stand up to the oppressor, has always succeeded in its goals. Such na- tions remained strong only to the point where too much money, too much leisure and too much self-confidence began to erode the basic health of society. Prophets of doom? Perhaps we are just that, but we are indeed foolish if we convince ourselves that what happened to countless other prosperous and clever peoples cannot happen to us. The Legion is certainly on the right track. The only question is whether or not time has already run out for us. Heroes of the past A headline in the daily papers last Sat- Bader's story was second only to that of urday probably caught the eye of most older Winston Churchill as a symbol of unbeatable people and if seen at all meant nothing.to the courage. Despite the fact that he had lost younger ones. That heading announced that both his legs, Doug Bader led a squadron of Group Captain Douglas Bader, Royal Air fighter aircraft and most of his pilots were Force (retired) had been knighted by the Canadians. The very knowledge that day Queen. A brief paragraph or two referred to after gruelling day a legless man was his background and then the story went on to leading his fighters against the overwhelm - name many of the other persons who had ing odds of the Luftwaffe was enough to been included in Her Majesty's honor list. instill a fresh sense of courage in a nation facing what appeared to be certain' doom. For those who lived through the trying Sir Douglas Bader is 66 now. His flying years of the Second World War, the name of days are over and, thank God, we have no Doug Bader brings back a flood of memo- need for such tremendous achievements, but ries. During the desperate days when there it is sad to realize that our young people will was little reason to even hope that Britain never know how tall a legless man could and her family of nations could possibly stand when he inched his way from the cock - withstand the horrid threat of Nazi invasion, pit to the soil of his homeland. I They are afraid to gamble Although Canadians in the mass spend their failure to secure backing in this coun- millions of dollars every few weeks on na- try, the two men remained loyal to their tional and provincial lotteries, we are still tight-fisted homeland. At the peak of their very stupid about where we place out bets. It financial difficulties last year they turned is really not surprising that American down an offer from a California concern to businessmen have come close to owning buy them out for $3 million. everything of real worth in this country. It appears now that their troubles are Over the years this column has com- over. The Alberta Opportunity Co. has mented many times on the reluctance of promised a loan of $250,000 and more money Canadian financial institutions to risk capi- may be available --not in Canada, but in tal in the development of Canadian projects. Europe. A recent story in Maclean's magazine is a What does Dr. Ritter think of Canadian classic example of the timidity which has led financiers? He says, "It is virtually impos- us to sacrifice so much of our independence. sible to build an industry here from the Out in Calgary two men, Dr. Robert ground up. They're geared up for the.multi- Ritter and David Turnbull invented and nationals, who just need mortgage backing then improved a machine which means a and have, the sort of collateral that could new life for sufferers from emphysema, the make them bank customers. They're going lung disease which prevents the victim from to have to recognize that ideas can happen benefiting from more than a small propor- anywhere. They're not the prerogative of big tion of the oxygen in the air he breathes. The companies." Reox (respiratory oxygen) system which Unfortunately, there are not too many these men invented is a cabinet on casters, Canadians who have Dr. Ritter's faith or pa - about the size of a TV set, from which a 40- tience. Most Canadian financial institutions, foo' plastic tube directs enriched air to the those which control enough wealth to give patient's nose. It is so effective that some the necessary push to Canada's develop - people who were unable to work more than ment, won't risk a dime on a project that has a few hours a week are now leading normal not already been pr0en financially sound in lives. The equipment can be sold, even the United States. lacking mass production economy, for $2,400 Call the Americans all the nasty names to $3,300, depending on size, and service you wish, just don't sel'l them short when it costs are about $360 a year.. comes to business acumen and the willing So far only 60 machines are in use, ness to back what they can see will be a good simply because the two inventors lacked the,. horse. The United States did not become the capital to finance a production plant :and world's wealthiest nation in the short span of further because they were, for months, un- 200 years by being timid bout the long shots. able to convince any Canadian lenders that They've had the guts tl gamble and do it the project was a sound investment. Despite shrewdly. THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES Published at Wingham, Ontario, by Wenger Bros. Limited Barry Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Secretary -Treasurer A pageof editorial opinion "The price of thirdclass service is going up"' News items from O d Fi.es JUNE 1929 Local Hydro Commission has been advised of a reduction in commercial rates so far as they relate to second charges. Those whose consumption charges place them in the second rate, will in future pay one cent per K.H. instead of two cents as in the past. Mr. and Mrs. Abner Cosens are in Toronto attending the gradua- tion ceremonies of Toronto Uni- versity, at which their daughter Mary passed her final examina- tions in medicine. Miss Cosens will spend the next year in Vic- toria Hospital, London. The thermometer climbed to 92 degrees last week, a pretty stiff ascent after the prolonged cold spell. Since then, there has been a drop to the freezing point. "Cloe" Clark, Walkerton's hockey rink manager and well - around the dam in Bluevale these days. J. Smith caught a ten - pound carp and L. Ruttan caught another that weighed 16 pounds. Alex Murdie, formerly in McKibbon's Drug Store, who has had a position in Hamilton for some time, has been moved to Toronto where he has charge of one of the Liggett Drug stores. J. A. Munro of Wroxeter was successful in passing his third year in medicine at the Univer- sity of Toronto. 0-0-0 JUNE 1941 R. J. McMurray of Bluevale was named lecturer at the 82nd annual convention of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West at St. Thomas. We extend congratulations to Miss Doris Armitage who at the graduation .exercises at Macdon- ald Institute, Guelph, was award - goes to Georgetown. Miss Reba Marshall of White- church commenced working in the telephone office, Teeswater. A'petition signed by most of the Wingham merchants and pre- sented to Town Council, requests that the main. street be flushed every Saturday morning to eliminate the dust. Arrange- ments are to be made to flush the street weekly during June and if this works out satisfactorily, the procedure will continue for the summer months. I, � William Robertson, Highway 86 at the edge of the village of Blue - vale, has a field of wheat that is receiving favorable comment these days. It is the Dawson Rustless variety and is two feet high. Rev. A. M. Grant of Wroxeter and Salem United Churches, has received a Beall to Kippen con- Thurs., .lune 17 phine Street, along the south bank of the Maitland River, just south of the McKenzie bridge. It is their intention over a period of years to remove the present structures and make it into park land. Council decided to grant permission to the Club with the stipulation that the park be main- tained also. Muriel Brydges, daughter of Mr. and. Mrs. William Brydges of Belgrave, was gold medalist of the graduating class at Stratford General Hospital. She received the highest mark in X-ray theory. Ken Johnson left for Birming- ham, Michigan, where he has ac- cepted a position in the National Bank of Detroit. A group of friends gathered at the home of Mr. auu silts. Diju- A -11--m- ;-0. presented Mr. and Mrs. Johnson with a parting gift. .Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thyssen left at the weekend for London where the former is now employ- ed. Mr. and Mrs. James Donald- son, who have conducted a groc- ery store in Fordwich for the past two years, have purchased a store and gas station at Lane's Corners. A Mission Band has been or- ganized in the Bluevale Presby- terian Church with Mrs. Matthew Baillie as leader. Officers of the group are Elizabeth McKinney, Elaine Kirton, John Mundell, Ian Mundell and Etoile Moffatt. 0-0-0 JUNE 1962 The old Zetland Bridge is being torn down by Russel Parsons, Construction of Staffa. The Mow- bray Construction Co. of Wing - ham has the contract to erect a new span over the Maitland River on the site.of the old bridge. The structure will be nearly 300 feet long and completion date has been scheduled for mid-Sept- ember. Whitney Grose, owner of the fire -destroyed Brunswick Hotel, appeared before the Wingham Town Council and requested council to pass a resolution ask- ing the Liquor License Board to call a vote of the community on the question of the establishment of a cocktail lounge or dining lounge in Wingham. It is his in- tention to erect a modern 20 -room hotel on the site of the old Bruns- wick if the ratepayers give the question an affirmative vote. Matt Boyd was named the new preside4t• of the Wingham Kins- men Club, succeeding Dr. Ste- wart Leedham. Vice-presidents areMurray Gerrie and Maurice Stainton; Donald Rae is treasur- er and Eric Walden secretary. Jack King, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank King of Gorrie, has suc- cessfully passed his third year in Forestry Engineering at the Tor- onto University. Gary Reavie left Whitechurch on Monday to work with the Bell Telephone Company at Trout Creek in Northern Ontario. Miss Patricia Heywood has re- ceived her certificate of quali- fication for hairdressing from Bruno's Hairdressing School in London. She has.been practising in London but has now accepted a position in Goderich at the Mod- ern Beauty Salon. At a meeting of the Bluevale Library Board, it was decided to paint the outside of the library building, put more bookshelves in the library and do some neces- sary repairs. known sporting enthusiast, has been appointed egg inspector for ed the Student: Council Scholar ship in the associate course. gregation. 0-0-0 TODAYFSMBYHE!LEN new post soon. CHILD Bruce, Grey and Huron at a sal- Doris not only headed her grad- JUNE 1952. from Clinton Community Hos- was elected president. Joseph solidly built with unruly brown hair, fair skin and rosy cheeks, ary of $1600.00. uating class but in her first year Luc -Tee -Win was the name Ross is in a special education class, doing satistactory work at James Strong, who has been was also at the top of her class:• chosen for the Conservation Club E l d E N th d formed here last week. The new - ALLEN Trade Commissioner in ng an George or woo was for some time, has returned to his elected president of St. Andrew's club will be made up of Wingham, _ home in Howick. Mr. Strong has Presbyterian Choir. Mrs. T. Cur- Lucknow and Teeswater, along received a promotion- in the rie is vice-president and secre- with the townships of Ashfield, Trade and Commerce Dept. at .tary-treasurer is Miss A. Wil- East and West Wawanosh, Mor- ; be C lross and Kin - Ottawa and will be leaving for his f hamson. ns, urn rry, u loss. A. W. Hamilton of Lucknow Ross is nine. a pleasant. likeable youngster as you can guess new post soon. Among those who graduate from his smile Anglo Saxon in descent. he is tall, healthy and Mrs. Carl Procter was elected from Clinton Community Hos- was elected president. Joseph solidly built with unruly brown hair, fair skin and rosy cheeks, president of the Belgrave Wo- pital this week is Miss Jean Herd Clark of Wingham is deputy Ross is in a special education class, doing satistactory work at men's Institute at its annual of Belmore. president and secretary-treasur- the grade one level He will probahly continue to need special meeting. Other officers are Mrs. Rev. J. Stewart of Drayton has er is George Orvis of Wingham. education because he require, a great deal of individual at C. R. Coultes, Mrs. James Tay- accepted a call to the Lucknow The Wingham Lions Club made tention He is interested in science and enjoys books and music tori Miss Edith Procter and Mrs. United Church and will coin- application to the town council on PP He loves to sing Ito,,,.,s riot keen on sports though he will piay J. M. Coultes. mence his ministry in July. He Monday evening for the title to football iwhen coaxed rte likes the outdoors and is fond of There are lots of fishermen succeeds Rev. R. C. Todd who the Fisherproperty,east of Jose- animal,. all kind, Ro,s prefer, adult company (­pedd llI emovin " activities he Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Member — Canadian Community Newspapers Assoc. Ontario Weekly Newspapers Assoc. Subscription $10.00 per year. I Six months $5.25 To United States $20.00 Second Class Mail Registration No. 011121 Return postage guaranteed Letters to tie Editor The Advance -Times has re- ceived a copy of the following letter addressed to town council: June 14, 1976 Wingham Recreation & Community Centres Board, Wingham, Ontario. Dear Sir: Having received a brochure from the Wingham Recreation & Community Centres Board listing their upcoming activities for summer season, I feel compelled to draw several items to your attention. Our family has used your pool for swimming lessons since it was built following a canvass for funds from both urban and rural contributors. Prior to this time they received instruction at the Wingham Riverside Pool, and when facili- ties there were condemned by the MOH the Wingham children were instructed at the Turnberry Park. I realize this was a tem, porary measure only, but I am sure at no time was there any consideration given then or at any time since to place a sur- charge flu liu❑-to n;hip dents. Ratner, we felt that this was one way urban and rural communities could work together and share in the common good of all. Now, with a surcharge being placed on rural children for recreational activities in the town many of us will be availing our- selves of other nearby centres for the same high calibre of instruc- tion we enjoyed in Wingham. Other centres such as Teeswater and Lucknow have comparable stores and businesses and in some cases greater facilities as far as machinery dealers, feed mills, etc. are concerned, so it would seem only sensible to patronize the towns where one is accepted on an equal footing whether he be rural or urban - orientated. Reviewing the Recreation Board's stand on imposing a sur- charge on rural children, nould the rural people recommend that the name of this board drop the word "community" from its title since it would seem the sur- rounding community is welcome only if it is willing to pay the addi- tional price. Has the Board counted the number of rural chil- dren participating in summer activities on a yearly average, multiplied it by the surcharge and decided that was the amount they could gamble in order to obtain additional funds, even though it could and most likely will foster a rift between urban and rural peoples? Our news- papers carry countless articles on racial discrimination, but is discrimination of another form rearing its ugly head in our own town, and in the field of recrea- tion yet? Rural people are consumers too, purchasing not only food and clothing from our local busi- nesses, but are large purchasers of cars, trucks, machinery, ap- pliances, repairs, and all other allied products. Can the Wingham businesses survive with only its own residents as buyers? We need each other to create a community based on mutual respect and admiration, where industry and new busi- nesses will clamor to come and settle and as a result make all of our present businesses grow and prosper increasingly. Is the surcharge worth it) Respectfully, Helen Uhderwood F.S. 1 flute iii ci uncil's las,, CNv1 L to The Advance -Times that an- other business interested in com- ing to, Wingham has moved on to Walkerton. , can share with rine other person ,uch a, fishing, hiking or just joining hi, fm ler mother or, lather in chore, around the house He is not a good mixer %� ilh children Koss need, if mother ,ind father who w ill enjoy spending much time with an eager intere,ted young ,on and who are not demanding about a(;idenuc achie%-enwnt He will do hest as an unl% r hrld or with brother, and or sister, much older than himself To tnrluire about adopting I(oss. please write to Today's Child. Ministry of r•ommunity and social Services. Box 888, Station K. Toronto 11t1' 2H2 In your letter- tell something of your present farnily and Your way of lite h•or general adoption information. contact your local Children's Aid Societv. LIKES THE OUTDOORS