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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-03-03, Page 5Wednesday,March 3, 2004 Exeter Times—Advocate 5 Opinion Forum News ROSS HAUGH BACK IN TIME I OYEARS AGO March 5, 1994 - At the annual meeting of the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority, conserva- tion awards went to Ralph and Eleanor Smith of Stanley town- ship and former SHDHS ag teacher Andy Dixon. Sunday's carnival presented by the Exeter figure skating club was a huge success with in excess of 800 in attendance. The theme paid tribute to Elvis Presley. 20YEARS AGO March 3, 1984 - The Exeter Molting Hawks won the Goderich old-timers hockey tournament on the weekend. Bill Chipchase scored two goals for Exeter in the 3-2 final win over Utica, Michigan and was named the most valuable player. 25 YEARS AGO The SHDHS cheerleaders won their own tourna- ment on Saturday. Team members are Mary Easton, Donna Prout, Brenna Wein, Becky Baker, Terry Heywood, Sandy Somerville, Michelle Veri, Marian Martens, Jane Sullivan and Kathy Willard. Brian Miller of Thames Road is one of four Junior Farmers to represent Ontario at the Second World Congress of Young Farmers in Paris, France. 25 YEARS AGO February 28, 1979 - Five photographic enthusi- asts from SHDHS combined their talents to place second in the Western Fair Farm Show. They were Terry Schwartzentruber, Brad Baynham, Stan Christie, Pat Dejonge and Richard Helm. 35YEARS AGO March 4, 1969 - A poll taken among Exeter busi- nessmen last week indicated the majority were in favour of closing for one full day each week. At pre- sent most stores close at noon on Wednesdays. On Monday they voted to close all day Monday instead of Wednesday by a vote of 36 to 18. The bylaw now in effect was passed in 1942 and said stores could not stay open later than 11 p.m. on Saturday nights. 40YEARS AGO March 4, 1964 - Monday night town council approved proceeding with the installation of the $70,000 Main street storm sewer this year after learning the Ontario government would assume the major portion of the cost. 45 YEARS AGO March 4, 1959 - Hensall council this week threat- ened to set up a dog pound and hire a dog catcher if residents continue to violate the by-law during the present rabies epidemic. Establishment of a volunteer fire brigade for the police village of Centralia has been approved by Stephen township council. 55 YEARS AGO March 6, 1949 - Murrray May, 19 year-old stu- dent at Exeter High School has been selected as the outstanding athlete of his school. 50 YEARS AGO March 2, 1944 - George Shaw again scored four times as the Exeter Flyers beat the St. Thomas Hornets 6-2 in the first playoff round of RCAF hock- ey The Exeter War Time committee and the Red Cross have learned that of the money collected to be sent overseas only 3.79 percent is used for adminis- tration. The Exeter Lions club has decided to abandon their Victory Gardens this year. Although financial returns were good last year, the men decided that the garden work along with their regular jobs was a bit strenuous and the experiment will not be repeat- ed. Now low rates on long distance telephone calls will begin an hour earlier at 6 p.m. to make calls cheaper for servicemen. 80YEARS AGO March 7, 1979 - Reeve William Coates of Usborne township was in Toronto last week attending a con- vention on good roads. I I OYEARS AGO February 28, 1894 - Willis Powell has a lot of rab- bits of different breeds and two certain boys knew it and undertook to walk off with several a few days ago. Willis says the next time they try that game he will be after them with a gun. Mr. Jas. Howard left Monday for Simcoe, Buffalo and other points for the purpose of inspecting elec- trical systems now used in those places. Seniors' Perspective By Jim Bearss ADULT ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATOR Upcoming Euchreamas: Lucan Shamrock Euchreama: March 18, 2004 at the Lucan Arena. Starts at 10:00 a.m. For only $5.00 you get to play 18 games of euchre and eat plenty of lunch. Prizes are from the committee's pot of gold. Bring your friends and enjoy the day. Exeter: March 26, 2004 at the Exeter Legion I2Tips To Prevent Falls: Info from the Exeter Branch 167 of the Royal Canadian Legion Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise helps to maintain muscle and bone strength and flexibility reducing the risks of injuries. Eat a Balanced Diet: It is important to eat three well-balanced meals to avoid weakness, dizziness and fatigue. Have Regular Medical Checkups: Changes in vision, hearing, bones and muscles could lead to a fall. Use Medication Safely: Some medications can make you sleepy or dizzy. If you experience any of these side effects, discuss them with your doctor immediately. Wear Supportive Footwear: Wear low-heeled footwear with non-skid soles indoors and out. Use Walking Aids Correctly: A cane or a walker should be fitted for your height. Remove Clutter: Clear objects from stairs and traffic area. Secure Rugs: Avoid small rugs or mats that could slide or bunch up and cause someone to trip. Light Your Way: Night -lights can be used to brighten dark hallways, bathrooms and stairways. Do A Safety Check: Basic safety features for every house should include handrails, well lit stairways, night -lights, non-skid bath mats and grab bars. Avoid Rushing: Rushing increases your chance of falling. Compensate for the effects of aging. Move very carefully. Take your time. Count On Your Friends: Those who are secluded, live alone and are less active tend to have more serious injuries. Arrange for a friend to call once a day at a prearranged time to make sure you are alright. Lest We Forget: I have been granted permission from the Exeter Legion executive and Mr. Eric Heywood, the person who so capably researched and wrote the information on the First and Second War Veterans. Names are on the ceno- taph located on the square at the Municipality of South Huron offices and Library area. Through this column, I will do my best to portray these fallen heroes, who gave their lives for what every single person in Canada enjoys today. That is, to live our life the way we choose, and not to fear for our lives tomorrow. This information is in book form at the South Huron Public Library and the office of The Municipality of South Huron, and Exeter Legion if you want to explore further. SergeantThomas Harold Carling Bissett: Sgt. Thomas Carling Bissett was born in Exeter, in June of 1885. He lived in Exeter all his life, and he received his education, here in the Exeter Public School. He enlisted in the 161st Huron Battalion in Exeter Ontario, and received his initial training in Exeter. He then trained in Clinton Ontario with the 161st Battalion, where it was formed into a Battalion, in the spring of 1916, with the rest of the men who joined up throughout Huron County. From Clinton he then trained in Hillcrest Camp in London Ontario. Finally he trained in Camp Borden before his Battalion traveled by train to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he boarded the S.S. Lapland. They sailed out of Halifax Harbour on November 1st 1916, and arrived in Liverpool, England on November 12th 1916. After travelling by train to Digbate Camp, near Shorncliffe, in Kent England, the Battalion received more training. But then it split up into eight different battalions before being sent across the English Channel to the fighting in France. It was then that Thomas Harold Bissett was transferred to the fighting in France with the 47th Battalion. He crossed the Channel on Good Friday of 1918, with the rest of the 47th Battalion. In order for Harold to get across the Channel and into fighting in France he had to revert from Sergeant back to private. But then once on the battlefield he regained his sergeant stripes. Jim Bearss The 47th Battalion attacked the German positions at Valenciennes, on All Saints Day of 1918, and as he was advancing at the head of his platoon, he was shot through the heart by a machine gun bullet and instantly killed. There was not a trace of pain upon his face, and it looked as if he had just fallen asleep. Thomas Harold Carling Bissett was killed in action on January 11th 1918. His army number was #654123. His body was reverently laid to rest with a Christian burial, in the British Military Cemetery, Auloy, which is 3.5 kilometers south of Valenciennes in France. Aulnoy Village was the scene of heavy fighting at the end of October, 1918, in which the 4th Seaforths were engaged, and which he was attached to. There are now over 150 1914-1918 war casualties commemorated at this site. The soldiers who fell in late October and early November 1918, were buried by their comrades. Of these, a small number are unidentified. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Margaret Carling Bissett, of Exeter Ontario. A Shepherd Responds: A shepherd was herding his flock in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Broni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the shepherd, "If I tell you exactly how many sheep you have in your flock, will you give me one?" The shepherd looks at the man, then looks at his peacefully grazing flock and calmly answers, "Sure. Why not?" The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his AT&T cell phone, surfs to a NASA page on the internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system to get an exact fix on his loca- tion which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra -high-resolution photo. The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany. Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS - SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with hundreds of complex formulas. He uploads all of this data via e-mail on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response. Finally he prints out a full -colour, 150 page report on his hi -tech. Miniaturized HP Laser Jet printer and turns to the shep- herd and says, "You have exactly 1,586 sheep." "That's right. Well I guess you can take one of my sheep," says the shepherd. He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car. Then the shepherd says to the young man, "Hey if I can tell exactly what your business is, will you give me back my sheep?" The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?" "You're a consultant." Says the shepherd. "Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie. But how did you guess that?" "No guessing required," answered the shepherd. "You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew; to a question I never asked; and you don't know anything about my business." "Now give me back my dog." Education Matters Randy Wagler,Trustee, Huron Area 4 - South AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD "Improving literacy in our students is a TEAM effort!" This statement is certainly true in the Avon Maitland District School Board. Our Board's first goal is to "Improve student achievement in literacy and numera- cy". All of us would agree that reading and writing, which literacy is all about, are of vital importance for our students. But literacy goes far beyond simply being able to read and write. It means being able to understand and apply what we read, and communicate clearly our thoughts and ideas. Literacy is the foundation for learning and is essential for our students to be successful inside the classroom and beyond. So, how are our students doing in literacy? In stan- dardized tests in grades 3 and 6, our students have shown improvement overall between 1998 and 2003, and our students' results in the Grade 10 Literacy Test are above the provincial results. But, we need to help them do better. We owe it to our students to give them the help they need to be successful. That's where a TEAM effort comes in. One of the pro- grams our Board is offering is the TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Read program. Funded par- tially by the new remote and rural schools funding, this See EDUCATION page 6