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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1964-09-10, Page 2PAGE TWO ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1964 eastmeal Mental Illness Is Not a Crime Not so many years ago, any person suffering from any type of mental disturb- ance was felt to have committed a crime. At long last some degree of understanding is being felt by the general public about this aspect of our health and its related problems. Perhaps the fact that possibily from 20 to 25 per cent of the adult population is significantly impaired or incapacitated at any time has made the public conscious that this is a very present problem, and not far removed from each one of us. Too, the fact that mental illness is being treated as a part of the whole phys- ical being and not as a secretive, disgrace- ful burden to be shit up in some dark corner, has brought it into its proper per- spective. The statistics quoted by the general director of the Canadian Mental Health Association that up to one person in every ten suffers from mental or emo- tional disorders to the extent that he would benefit from professional attention and that few people are literally free from physchiatric symptoms—about 20 per cent —is not a particularly pleasant fact to face. But it does serve to point up the fact that we should learn as much as possible about good mental health and what mental ill- ness is. To dwell on oneself is not a healthy attitude. Becoming deeply interested in others and using your energies on activi- ties outside •of yourself is a good preventa- tive. No man is an island, nor can he live contentedly without making reasonable ad- justments and compromises with others. The all or nothing approach to life is fraught with disappointments; much heal- thier to demand from life, happiness and sorrow in terms of more or less. A person afflicted with mental and emotional problems tends to feel very lonely and isolated. We can help them by giving them the reassurance they are not alone, by being willing to share their troubles. The presence of a good friend and an understanding listener can often relieve the burden of mental and emotional strain. This by no means is the answer in each case, and professional help should be given, if your efforts fail. Two common phrases that are useless in most cases are "Snap out of it" and "It's all in your ima- gination". Anyone afflicted with mental illness would snap out of it, if they could, for as Satan says in Milton's Paradise Lost, "The mind is in its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven." The battle is in the open and we can all share in it. Common sense and thought- fulness in everyday life; the casting away of ill-founded prejudices against mental illness; and the support of professional and technical people and institutions who are working to alleviate this very real problem, are ways open to us to contribute towards better mental health. The more we know of it, the less we should be frightened and confused by it.—(New Hamburg Indepen- dent). Old Folks At Home An organization called the Senior Women's Committee for Pension Increase is circulating a petition urging Ottawa to increase the old age security pension from $'75 to $100 a month, and to lower the pension age from 70 to 65 years. The com- mittee is also asking older persons to write their members of parliament telling them that the present pension is inadequate to the needs of pensioners who have not other source of income. To provide an increased pension for the really needy is entirely reasonable, but the committee's proposal would be wasteful and excessively expensive. Nearly one million Canadians are receiving the old age security pension. To raise the pension by $25 a month for the entire group would cost $300,000,000 a year, and put the pension's annual cost at $1,200,000,- 000. To lower the pension age to 65 years would add another half million persons to the pension list, cost an additional $600,- 000,000 a year, and raise the total cost to $1,800,000,00. The federal and provincial govern- ments share the cost of the old age assis- tance program, which is currently provid- ing pensions to 105,000 persons in need in the 65 to 69 years age group. In three provinces the maximum pension is $65 a month, and the maximum is $75 in the remaining seven provinces; cost of this program is about $90,000,000 a year. In addition, a federal -provincial program sup- plements the old age security pension for over 70 who are in need; the number of persons aided by this program„ and its exact cost, are not a matter of public record. Whatever additional aid needs to be provided for the aged poor could be furn- ished through the existing programs with benefits graduated according to variations in living costs. All pension and other wel- fare benefits are charged back to the work- ing population, and it must be recognized that there are limits on what the public can pay.—(Nanton News). The Big Swim Last week's big splash in Lake Ontario was to be a standout attraction at the 1964 Canadian National Exhibition. It turned out to be "pulled out" disappointment for the swimmers. The resultant publicity, most of it un- favorable, has focused on what is. defined as "sport" and "entertainment". Do people really find enjoyment in listening to on - the -spot reports of agonized swimmers, fighting deathly fatigue and freezing waters? Does anyone get pleasure from hearing of this one and that one being rushed to hospital with the eventual report that they are "resting comfortably". The across -the -lake swim has been called a battle against nature, not a com- petition between swimmers. We are in- clined to agree. The possible injuries to health are always present along with the gamble against drowning and make this one attraction we can do without. Swimmers have expressed the opinion the money involved in prizes can never compensate for the extreme conditions that must be endured to finish in the money. Surely there has been enough adverse criticism directed at the swim to ensure its cancellation. Long distance swims at the waterfront are much more sensible and more attractive from a spectator's view- point. Let's leave the lake to shipping.— (New Hamburg Independent). Legislation Needed Now! A law requiring medical doctors to re- port cases of child abuse to the police is definitely needed. Cases brought to light recently where a child has died from ap- parent abuse highlight this problem which has been a continuing thorn in the side of the medical profession for many years. As the law stands now a doctor must decide whether he is breaking his oath of confidence as well as risk the threat of possible legal action if he reports a case where he suspects possible child abuse or neglect. The medical profession is in an unfair position which seriously jeopardizes the well being of many children across the province. Legislation requiring all cases •of sus- pected child abuse or neglect be reported to police will be a step towards protecting the welfare of children. It will also assist the Children's Aid Society in their work of assisting families which might otherwise remain unknown although in need of assis- tance.—(Fergus News -Record) ZURICH Citizens NEWS HERB TURKHEIM — Editor and Publisher PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING at ZURICH, ONTARIO Authorized as Second Class Mail, PoSt Office Department, Ottawa and for the payment of postage in cash. Member: CANADIAN WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION Member: ONTARIO WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION St4 cription Rates: $3.00 per year in advance, iii Canada; $4.00 in United States and and Foreign; single copies 7 cents 40 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER, 1924 The proprietor of the Hill Crest Dairy, Zurich, C. Schrag, has made another improvement in his method of delivering his products by using the bottle system. On Saturday noon word was received that the fine bank barn and straw shed belonging to Milne Rader, lot 10, con. 15, Hay Township, was all ablaze, starting from the straw stack at the east side of the barn. Miss Anna Datars, of Hay Township, is assisting Mrs. V. Siebert in her millinery parlors. Dan Gascho received some body injuries the other day while threshing that have laid him up for a while. Mr. J. Preeter, of Zurich, has exchanged his general store business to Mr. Albrecht, of New Hamburg, who will be Zurich's new merchant. J. Deichert and Ivan Yung- blut are attending the Toronto Exhibition this week. Adelbert Smith and Bern Hoffman motored to Watford over Labor Day. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kalb- fleisch and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Magnee, of Detroit, were holi- day visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Stade, in Zurich. 25 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER, 1939 Mr. and Mrs. Milton Oesch and Mr. and Mrs. Menno Oesch spent the week -end at the home of their brother, Mr. John Oesch, Pigeon, Mich. Mrs. Clara Decker, of Zurich, and her daughter, Vera, of Ex- eter, Mr. and Mrs. Morley Wit- mer and family, of Detroit, and Misses Norma and Florence Steinbach ehjoyed a motor trip to Niagara Falls and other places of interest over the week- end. With the opening of school this past Tuesday we note the following from this vicinity at- tending high school at Exeter: Ruth Brown, Doris Meyers, Archie MacKinnon, Elroy Des- jardine, Alpha Meyers, Greta Haberer, Irene Turkheim, Fred Hess, Elwood Truemner, Mar- garet Hey, Ruth Johnston, Ella Bohn and Mildred Haberer. Mr. and Mrs. Alan Steckle and family spent the week -end with Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith, at Markham. Mr. and Mrs. Menno -OF- YEARS GONE _BY Steckle, Sr., who had been vis- iting their daughter and family at Markham returned hone. 15 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER, 1949 • Miss Joyce Mousseau has left for London where she is attend- ing Well's Academy, Ross Gaelic), of the Canadian Navy, is holiday at his home in Zurich. Gordon and Stanley Smith, Ted Habreer, Lorne and Herbert Klopp have returned from a pleasant fishing trip in the Parry Sound district. Mr. and Mrs Earl Thiel and family and Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Weido and family enjoyed the week -end on a motor trip to Niagara Falls and other places of interest. Miss Phyllis McBride has re- turned from a teachers' tour of the Western Coast, Florida and California. She has resumed her duties at the Brucefield school west,, Miss Audrey Heimrich, of Zurich, has returned to Blake school for another term. 10 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER, 1954 Robert Horner is attending Teachers' College at Stratford; Miss Mary Klopp and Donald O'Brien are attending Teachers' College at London. Mr. and Mrs. James Hackett, of Belleville; Norma Steinbach and Carol Thiel had a pleasant motor trip to Montreal, Quebec, Chatham, Niagar Falls and New Brunswick. Mrs. Anne Turkheim has re- turned to Zurich after a visit with her relatives in Garry, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Kipfer have occupied their new home in Zurich, recently purchased from Mr. Charles Hay. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Cook and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lawrence, of Guelph, and Mr. Norman Cook, of Galt, visited on Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Flaxboard. Doug O'Brien, Bill O'Brien, Bill Yungblut and Don O'Brien enjoyed a motor trip to the former's brother, Jack O'Brien, at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Miss Marion Erb has accepted a position as public school teacher at Gadshill and spent the week -end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emmerson Erb. Waning summer is a sad time, in a way. The halcyon days are nearing an end. The sun has lost its burning, baking strength. The nights come sooner, and cooler. Young lovers who have had a summer affair part with a last embrace, desperate promises to write, and a great heart -wrench- ing, a feeling that something is going to be last, irretriev- able. And they're right. There is a slightly forlorn, lonely air about the beaches and the resorts and the summer places. They have acquired a certain air of shabbiness that goes with the end of summer. Canadians fall asleep every year, in June. Lulled by the whispered, scented promises of that Iush and lovely month, they dream of dazzling beaches, pine -scented woods, fun and sun, health and happiness. And then the dream turns into the reality. The sizzling irritation of the July heat wave, when they hatre decided, for a change, to take their holidays in August this year, And the SUGAR and SPICE By Bill Smiley cold, wet blanket of August, which turns camping trips into shivering family feuds, cottages into miniature , mental institu- tions, and resort owners into wild-eyed neurotics. But don't let this end -of -sum- mer sadness bother you. It's phoney. Canadians are not really sad as summer ends. At least, they're no more sad than I am. when I dream of flying to Hong Kong with Elizabeth Taylor, and I've just drifted off with her head on my shoulder, and she shakes me gently and leers into my eyes and says, "I think I WILL have a double brandy" and I suddenly wake tip and the Old Battleaxe is shaking my shoulder, the one with the bursitis in it, and mumbling, "Gernme a drinka wodder". Summer in this country is an absolute fantasy, something in which no sensible Canadian would put any more faith than he would in his Irish Sweep- stake ticket, or his old Aunt Ethel who has changed her will six times. Summer in this country is a fraud, an illusion. Every time I lie out in the backyard, on the green grass enclosing a circle of blue sky above me, I shake myself and pinch myself, until I know it's a dream, and that if I tried the same thing four months later, I'd be buried un- der three feet of snow. That's why I feel no real sad- ness as summer draws to a close. The Canadian summer is about as real as Gilbert and Sullivan, In fact, I am elated at the thought that another two months of muddling around with visiting relatives, irra- tional golf balls, reluctant fish and lippy kids is at an end. As any true, red-blooded Ca- nadian knows, fall is the time when we begin to live again. We love it. We come alive. We stop dreaming. We look at our kids with clear eyes, after the opium. dream of summer, and find they've grown four inches. We look at our stomachs, after two months of barbecued chicken, French fries and dairy queens, and find they've grown two inches. We look with loving eyes at our schools and realize with some joy that it's only a few always days until we can take advan- tage of our position as taxpay- ers, and get rid of the kids for the best part of each week, We look at our country and see it with new eyes. It's beau- tiful. Not a tourist in sight. We look at our soft, soppy, silly, summer selves, and real- ize that this is not what life is all about. And we give a dim silent Canadian cheer for the fact that it's all over once again, and we can get back to the serious things of life. Like. having a baby. Or running for the school board. BUILDING CONTRACTOR • CUSTOM CARPENTRY • YOU NAME IT . . . . . WE'LL DO IT ! No job is too large or too small for us. DICK BEDARD PHONE 80r3 — ZURICH Call Us for Free Estimates SERVED IN OUR MODERN DINING ROOM ENJOY THE FINE ATMOSPHERE OF OUR ATTRACTIVE ALPINE ROOM Our Entire Hotel is Equipped with "Hi-Fi" System for your Listening Pleasure WE SPECIALIZE IN STEAKS - CHICKEN - FISH Dominion Hotel PHONE 70 — ZURICH Business and Professional Directory OPTOMETRY J. E. LONGSTAFF OPTOMETRIST SEAFORTH — Phone 791 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 noon CLINTON — Dial 482-7010 Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Norman Martin OPTOMETRIST Office Hours: 9 -12 A.M. — 1:30 - 6 P.M. Closed all day Wednesday Phone 235-2433 Exeter LEGAL Bell & Laughton BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS & NOTARY PUBLIC ELMER D. BELL, Q.C. C. V. LAUGHTON, Q.C. Zurich Office Tuesday Afternoon EXETER 235-0446 For Safety EVERY FARMER NEEDS Liability Insurance For Information About All Insurance — Cali BERT KLOPP Phone 93 r 1 or 220 Zurich Representing CO.OPERATORS INSURANCE ASSOCIATION AUCTIONEERS ALVIN WALPER PROVINCIAL LICENSED AUCTIONIBER, For your sale, large or smalls courteous and efficient service: at all times. "Service that Satisfies" PHONE 119 DASHWOOD ACCOUNTANTS ROY N. BENTLEY PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT GODERICH P.O. Box 478 Dial 524-952!, J. W. Haberer Insurance Agency "All Types of General Insurance" PHONE 266 — ZURICH FUNERAL DIRECTORS WESTLAKE Funeral Home AMBULANCE and PORTABLE OXYGEN SERVICE Phone 89J or 89W ZURICH HURON and ERIE DEBENTURES CANADA TRUST CERTIFICATES 51% for 3, 4 and 5 years 5% for 2 years 4s/4% for 1 year J. W. HABERER Authorized Representative PHONE 161 — ZURICH