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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1953-9-2, Page 6ANNE° HOST "Dear Anne Hirst: 1 am mar - vied to a soldier, who is now overseas, Since he left I've been sitting at homo, night after night, and terribly lonesome , .. I met a nice young man who works with me, and he asked me to out. I went, and had a very nice time. "I am not looking for trouble, Anne Hirst. I just want to have some fun, But I am so confused! We don't do anything wrong, and going out once a week does give me a lift. But I don't want my husband finding out, "Can you please advise me? CONFUSED." PLAYING WITH FIRE * Your confusion is the result * of your feeling of guilt. Your * husband would not approve of * your dating any man, I ex- * pect — particularly this one, * for you say, "I've been good, * up until now," That reveals * your potential feeling for him * better than any words you did * not say. Why shouldn't he * think lightly of you? A mar- * ried woman who dates another * man invites propositions of * any kind. * Your dating him will not go * unobserved, you know. Your * husband, like so many other * trusting soldiers, will probably * hear about it. * How do you suppose other * wives, whose men have been * absent over a year, bear their * lonliness? They invest their * spare time with the Red Cross, * or join other groups working * here for the cause, and they * feel a kinship with their men * that binds them together for * the common end, * Can you do less? * Find out where your church, * and other organizations, cars Iron -On Designs in 3 colors ceuv7.4VtikeiL Just glide your iron once over lightly—presto! Pretty pink, gay yellow, soft blue motifs trim your scarfs, pillowslips, guest towels! No embroidery! Washable! Such a thrifty, quick way to re -do your bedroom or guestroom! Pattern 865; Twenty iron -on motifs: 4 figures about 4g x 51/2 inches and 16 flower motifs from y x 11 to 11/2 x3 inches. Send TWENTY-FIVE CENTS in coins (stamps cannot be ac- cepted) for this pattern to Box 1, 123 Eighteenth St., New Toronto, Ont. Print plainly PATTERN NUMBER, your NAME and AD- DRESS. EXCITING VALUE! Ten yes TEN popular, new designs to cro- chet, sew, embroider, knit—print- ed right in the Laura Wheeler Needlecraft Book, Plus many more patterns to send for—ideas for gifts, bazaar money-makers, fashions! Send 25 cents for your copy! * use your time and talents. Join *up, and give the job all you've got. You will meet other lone- * ly wives, and their quiet Mir- * age under the strain of anxi- * ety and loneliness will be an * inspiration. * I predict that, within a * week, you will have solved * your own problem, and be * heartily ashamed of your be. * havior now. * * * TO "A WORRIED MOTHER"; Stop worrying, The rule you are interested in still applies. When readers are reminded that this column appears in newspapers in almost every section of the coun- try, and that their problems ex- ist in every community group, they are quick to realize that my answer to a question similar to their own is not necessarily my answer to theirs. Your attitude in this affair was exactly -what it should have been, and I congratulate you. I appreciate your gratitude, too, for my opinion, c * r: REMEMBER SOLDIER'S BIRTHDAY "Dear Anne Hirst; I am 17, and have been going steady with a soldier who is now overseas. My birthday was a few months ago, and not knowing about it, he did not send me anything. "Now his birthday comes soon. I don't know whether to send him something, or just a card. What shall I do? WORRIED GIRL" Send the soldier an airmail birthday card, by all means It may arrive late. So why not write him a pretty note of good wishes? Say you have just learn - •ed about his anniversary, and as the card may not come in time, this little note will say you are thinking of him, and looking for- ward to the time you two can celebrate birthdays together. This will be a gracious gesture, and the more welcome because it is unexpected. * * * If you are a soldier's wife, use your leisure time to work for victory here. There is no better cure for loneliness.. , In any time of stress, consult Anne Hirst, She will have helpful ideas. Write her at this news- paper. Warning Winston Surveying the volume and high qualiyt of Churchill's sub- sequent literary achievement, it is amusing to reflect that I was his first editor and Press censor. He came to me one day—1 was then schoolboy editor of the Harrovian—with an article on recent assault -at -arms in the gymnasium. The article was highly critical, not to say scur- rilous. I bpd to blue pencil several of the choicest witti- cisms in spite of the writer's impassioned and almost tearful protests. Even what I passed in this and one or two subsequent arti- cles went rather beyond the con- ventionally restrained tone of the Harrovian. Accordingly t h e headmaster, Dr. Welldon, sum- moned the young author to his study and addressed him fn the following terms: "I have observed Certain ar- ticles in the Harrovain news paper lately not calculated, to in- crease the respect of the boys for the constituted authorities of the school. As articles in the Har- rovain are anonymous, I shall not dream of inquiring who wrote them. But if any more of the same character appear, it may be my painful duty to swish you.' • Two gentlemen were introdu- ced in the lobby of a Chicago hotel. "Pardon my not getting up," said one. "You see, I'm ail- ing from arthritis." "Perfectly all right," beamed the other. "I'm Goldfarb from Grand Rapids." Wooden Word-fluliderf-These big "boys" aren't playing blocks --they're stringing up preservative -impregnated wood samples at a Bell.laboratortes test "farm." More than 20 million telephone poles support the network of wires, and with replacements and new poles going up at the rate of 800,000 per year, maxi - Mum weather -resistance of wood is of utmost importance. No Argument From Her—French starlet Simone Bach is staying out of the controversy over shorter skirt lengths for the tlnie being. She's satisfied with a bathing suit and the beach at Juan Les Pins, France, HRONICLES N M °j�(il GERFAR / G-w2nd.oline P Ctarke Women of all nations began their invasion of Toronto last week. They overflowed the Royal York, the Walker House, the Y.M.C.A., 'the W.C.T.IJ. and the homes of personal friends. Din- ing -rooms, restaurants and coffee. - shops, all had a long line-up at rush hours. Americans, British, Canadians and folk from ;'down under" mingled with visitors and "observers" in colourful na- tional costumes - from Denmark, Holland, Norway and Sweden; from India, Ceylon, Pakistan, Egypt and Japan as, for the first time in its history, Catena was the meeting place for rural wo- men from all over the world dur- ing the Seventh Triennial Con- ference of the Associated Coun- try Women of the World, The first president of this great' organization was a Canadian, Mrs. Alfred Watt who was elected United Nations. As one woman • put it — "To educate a man is fine but educate a woman and you educate the whole family." Preliminary activities'had been taking place fol. several days but the actual official opening took place in Convication Hall, Uni- versity of Toronto on August 14, followed by a tea on the campus at Hart House, The weather was ideal, bright sunshine accentuated the varied colouring of the pic- turesqe national'costumes worn by delegates from far countries the glittering Egyptian cos- tume, the dignity and charm of the Ceylon and Pakistan dress and the homespun, richly em- broidered dresses from Scandi- navia. Mrs. Hugh Summers was chair- man for the opening ceremonies at which there was an impres- sive processional when the flags of the countries represented by the A.C.W.W. were carried in, slowly, solemnly, by members of the Junior Women's Institutes . and the Homemaking Clubs of Canada. Ne doubt you will have read all the details in your daily paper so that anything I might say might be merely repetition. Yes, you may have read com- At The Big Conference—A happy trio at the Get -Together party held at the Royal York to start off the ACWW Conference, were, left to right, Mrs, Bessie Gray, Sarnia, a Chippewa Indian, in her national dress; Mrs. K. Kuppuswamy of Mysore, India; Mrs. S. Sem of Oslo, Norway, in costume of Telemark, Norway. at Stockholm, Sweden in 1933 — the same Mrs. Watt who suc- cessfully uccessfully introduced the Wo- men's Institute to England and Wales. Mrs. Watt was a woman with vision but it is doubtful if even Mrs.Watt visualized an or- ganization that in twenty years would reach its present mem- bership of nearly 6,000,000 wo- men, representing 25 nations of the world. From this vast mem- bership considerably over a thou- sand delegates registered fnr the Triennial Conference in Canada, to meet together tor one ,specific purpose — to discuss ways and means of improving rural. condi- tions in every country, but es- pecially in under -developed areas. Round Table discussions are being held almost every day during the Conference for the purpose of studying the economic problems of people living on the land. These discussions are ex- tremely valuable as from them the women learn to appreciate the difficulties of other nation in dealing with problems; which may be quite different from their own. One country may report a surplus of farm labour; smother Canada, for instance, a sonless shortage. • Ideas, opinions and experiences • are freely exchanged in these discussions, and, no matter what the subject may be, there is every evidence that most of these women have an extraordi- nary grasp of the situations in- volved, and,, in moat cases, defin- ite suggestions for improvement are offered. Naturally the em- phaats is on what women can, and should do in the world 6f attains, all the way from educate ing-the under -privileged to Par* ((cleating in the work et NMI plete and exact reports but this I must add: No report, no photo- graph, can convey to you the un- explainable inward emotion that came to me as, in my dual capa- city as W. I, member and press representative, I stool on the sidelines, and watched and lis- tened. Believe me, I felt both proud and humble to be a part of this great assembly. Day by day, one hears and reads distress.' ing and conflicting reports or world and local affairs. Bul here, amid the wpmen of many na- tions, I was conscious of an up- lift of spirit; a feeling that with. so many fine and intelligent Wo- men taking an active interest, not only in their own problems but in those of other races and weeds, that somehow, out of chaos, r We shall find peace, and good fellowship among all na- tions. I`. felt this even more strongly during the splendid ser- vice in the Memorial Hall at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, attended by 21 bus -loads of delegates from Toronto head- quarters,. The Rev. Dr. David M. Gallagher in his address, said that we.po longer think of dis- tance in 'terms of miles but of , time -- time"itt getting from one. .place to another' = and how short a time it often is, Id Speak- ing of the "Associated Country Women of the World" he said, In effect, how different would be its meaning if one, word — "conn= try" Were left. out. It would then be "Women of the World" which obuld suggest 'tworldy women" -the exact Opposite to the true meaning of the A,C.W.W. He also urged his listehers to take tbfie, after the Conference, to ISSUE 36 -- 1953 Shed a Few Tears Voir the Bridegroom June is the lucky month for Weddings and full moon the luck." lest day of that month. Forte' nate iti the girl who can walk dawn the aisle then But it is curious how all over the world the bridegroom is an object of commiseration, Even in Canada he often stages a wild stag party and has a final fling before surrendering to voluntary servitude, Among some gipsy tribes it is customary at the wedding feast to provide a cake made of flour mixed with a little blood from the wrists of bride and groom, This is eaten by the happy pair. And in Bulgaria the hands of the groom are tied to those of his bride so that he can't make a get -away. ' Ma -in -Law's Chanee At many marriage ceremonies traditional acts whose meaning has now been lost are still ob- served. In the remoter parts of Scotland it was once the custom 'for the mother-in-law to break a plate of salt over the groom's head at the start of the feast. What an opportunity, if she dis- approves of him,to use rock salt! Among Oriental Jews it is still usual for the bride to leap over a large platter heaped with fish. Savage tribes have devised in- numerable ordeals for the pros- pective groom to prove his man- hood. Among the aborigines of Arnhem Land, Northern Terri- tory, Australia, he has to lie for fifteen days in the burning sun, without food and water. Only then is he considered fit for mar- riage. The ancient custom of throw- ing rice comes from the tropics where it is a symbol of fertility. In the Celebes they throw rice to prevent the groom's soul from flying away. In the past the male was usu- ally required to give evidence of his superiority. Marriage by cap- ture is still customary in Japa- nese country districts. Ukai Masa, a seventeen -year-old village belle, was on her way home from the public bath in Osaka when she was bundled into a car and kid- napped. Her brother led a respite party and recovered her, but the groom fought back and snatched the girl away. That year five marriages by capture were re- ported in Osaka, and all five brides lived happily with their husbands. Incidentally, in each affray a dozen young men were maimed and the bride's house was wrecked! Happy Pair Must Wrestle In some savage -lands mock fights are staged in which the pair wrestle until the bride is overcome and _carried off. This was once a Cornish -custom. Among the Makuans a mock battle is staged fn which both parties enter with gusto. The defeat of the bride is a cue for her father and mother to rush at the groom and beat him soundly with clubs —in a ceremonlal way. The Behar Islanders lock the bride in a dark room strewn with traps and pitfalls. Eventually the groom finds her—even if it takes hours. In parts of Kamchatka the bride fs hidden under innumer- able coverings and the groom must search for her. Before he finds her, her friends rush from hiding, beat and scratch him and tear the bride away. When he recovers he has another try and again they swoop. This may go on for years. But, faint heart never won fair lady, The Betsiloes of Madagas- car try to impale the groom With spears, and he must show his skill at dodging, In New Guinea he is scarred with knives and tied in a bag with tiger; ants. Locked Up, Fattened! In some of the islands of the East Indies he has to undergo an examination by a committee' of women;, if they approve he is locked up ,for forty days and fat- tanedi,.1.nd in many villages of Pakistan he is hauled befere.the relatives of- the bride who insult. hifn with every abusive tern' in their vocabulary. If he can stand that he can take anything the bride may say later. In pre-war Albania, a man seen taking a woman into his house was considered to be legally mar- ried even though no cereinohy had been performed, If after this her Sattler refused to accept him) itwas his duty to elope with the girl. If her father interfered, her. lover was in honour bound to shoot 'him, and this invariably started ;one of those ruthle1s'ven- dettas which last for generations, think ahead. "Don't get so tired during the Conference," (yarned Dr, Gallagher, "that you have no time afterwards to make use of all you have seen and heard," Well, I shall be telling you more about thisgreat conference in future columns as, I can assure you, there is far more to it than most of us ever dreamed was possible, and, as you know, it may be years before .the A,C. W.W. is held in Canada attain. Some Queer Clubs '--' They're Really Exclusive! To=day it seems almost any excuse will sery tp found a club whb`se reembership •is limited to people Witls the most unusual gualiflcationsThese clubs, are really exblusive, Amongst the latest additionsclubs to the list of really unpsnal is thnnounced,as.being form - d in. tain by the mother of a murdered boy. 'Meniebership of this' One --+. she 6f 'the world's mpst eXelusive and grimly un- usual clubs —,will be open only to the relatives of unsolved mur- der victims. At first the dul;- believed to be the only one Of its kind 'in the world - will be restricted' to the mothers ofmur- dered children. Today a lonely and broken-hearted woman wants to make .contact with other mothers who will help her in forming the club. One club always 'open for members—is that catering solely for males who ' are all woiiten- haters, Indeed; they' are the 'then who have to pay alimony to the wives who have ,left them. Amongst the unigne clubs in the 'United States is that reserved forpeople who, "ion occassion, "wish tp kick themselves!" "This North Carolina body has actually had 'a mnachinc installed for, the benefit of its members, who by pressing'a button receive a kick in the pants. Borrowed Time The world's most unusual clubs include one whose members are all living on borrowed time. They are men and women of different ages, and each with his or her own hobby. This club has but one rule. No one is eligible for membership who has not lived three months beyond.. the time given hint by a doctor. Most, of those enrolled are people suffer- ing from some form of disease which cannot be cured, or whose energy has been sapped by sur- gical operations or who are loo weak to fight illness. As long ago as 1936 a Mrs. Jesse Green started this club, and deaths, amongst the mem- bers, have been few. Being tall has its drawbacks, especially if you are young and fond of dancing. Recently, there- fore, a club was formed whose male members must be over six feet and the ladies not less than five feet eight inches. But why don't the "short" people, Or those who require really "outsize gar- ments," get together? Even misers have their own gathering. Called the Split Farth- ing Club, the qualifications for membership are meanness and prudence in the use of money. Many indeed are the bachelor's clubs, In every land we. find them, but most of the member- ship subscriptions are not renew- ed after a year or two. Even Tax Dodgers If you are fond of the eerie, you may like to join' the Ghost Club, Its members are very much of this world, and are people who are interested in psychical re- search. They make a nobby of investigating any ghost story that has pints of interest. If the Cigar Club, whose mem- bers never smoke cigarettes or pipes — is still In evietence, they should by now have invited Sir Winston Churchill to become their president, for one of the club rules forbids members to smoke anything but cigars. The U.S.A. is, of course, the land of the really queer ,clubs. These range from those who dabble fn black magic to one especially fon red -heads. In the States the hen-pecked husbands,pole squat- ters, and even _ the income tax dodgers have clubs. A club for every unusual de- mand seems to be the orderof the day. If there is not a club in existence to cater for your re- quirements, you merely insert an advertisement in the Press and, hey presto) you are soon joined by fellow -enthusiast, In California is the headqusu4* ters of the International Bottlw Club. The membership is n . confined to heavy drinkers, ink to people who are interested in the empties. I1 was founded snore than twenty years ago by an Australian traveller who scrib- bled messages in many languagiee and, placing them In sealed bet- ties, cast them adrift while by a+voyage from 'Vancouver to Syd.- ney, Over the years these bottles have been washed ashore, and scores Of people answering the messages have joined the club, All sorts of clubs cater for old people, Most unusual, perhaps, is the Odd Volume Club, It con - Slots o! hose with a literary bent, one of whom will write o book all but the last chapter. Another member will then read what has been' written and complete the story by adding his own last chapter. Were you born in a covered wagon? If so, there already is+ club` anxious to have your meth- bership. Called the Covered Wa- gon Baby Club, it caters for the 100 babies who are believed to have been born in covered wa- gons. Perhaps this is the age of clubs. There is even one for people with ugly. faces, If, therefore, you can't stand the sight of your own, or you are convinced that other people can't, you should apply for membership. No doubt yop will feel happy beside the broken noses and cauliflower ears. Curve of Flattery! , 4731 10-20 "4444 What a glamorous way to look by sun or moonlight! That curved neckline molded over the bosom does such beautiful things for your figure, The skirt Ls gracefully gatheredin front so pretty when you turn, walk" dance. Choose an airy cotton or cool silk. 'Pattern`4731: Misses' Sizes 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, Size 16 takes 431, yards 35 -inch fabric. This pattern easy to use, sim- ple to sew, is tested for fit. Has complete illustrated instructions. Sand ,,THIRTY-FIVE CENTS (35) in coins (stamps cannot be accepted) for this pattern. Print plainly SIZE, NAME, ADDRESS, STYLE NUMBER. Send order to Box 1, 123 Eigh- teenth St. New Toronto, Ont. Fishy, But True—Frank Bracken caught 'a minnow that caught a catfish. While. Bracker was pulling sr one -pound minnow from the river', o 25.pound catfish tried to swallow it. The big fish didn't stand a chance onbe its meal was half swallowed. The'" minnow's expanded gills served as a harpoon,