HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-10-27, Page 5Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Exeter Times -Advocate
5
Opinion Forum News
ROSS
HAUGH
BACK IN TIME
I OYEARS AGO
Oct. 26, 1994 — Friends and
four generations of family were
on hand at the Exeter Villa on
Sunday to help Olive Bierling cel-
ebrate her 102nd birthday.
A letter to the editor this week
suggests Exeter's three "good"
grocery stores alternate to be
open every third Sunday to allow
staff and employers to enjoy two
weekends out of three.
20YEARS AGO
Oct. 24, 1984 — Don Campbell, executive director of
the South Huron Association for the Mentally
Handicapped has resigned after eight years of service.
He has accepted a similar position in Lambton County.
25YEARS AGO
Oct. 22, 1979 — David A. Greene of Exeter was
promoted recently to Master Corporal at the Armed
Forces Base in Petawawa. David is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Murray Greene of Exeter.
More than 40 former members of the Zion United
church choir were in attendance at Sunday's church
anniversary.
Hiring has started at Bell Aerospace as the Grand
Bend plant gears up to start building the four air
cushion vehicles ordered on a $21 million contract
by the United States government.
Cam Stewardson, formerly of Greenway has been
named assistant manager at the Stephen township
arena at Huron Park. Frank Funston took over as
manager when the township took over ownership
from the Ontario Development Corporation in
September. Stewardson comes from an assistant
manager's position at the St. Clair Beach arena,
near Windsor.
40YEARS AGO
Oct. 29, 1964 — About 200 members and friends
who attended the annual meeting of the Exeter
District Co -Operative last week learned that the
organization had a comparatively good year, despite
the loss of their building through fire.
45YEARS AGO
Oct. 27, 1959 — Paul Wilson who is attending
Victoria College at the University of Toronto has
been elected president of the Mid Western Ontario
zone of Young Christian Councillors.
Monday night members of the Exeter Public
School Board viewed preliminary sketches of its pro-
posed three-room addition.
A 10 -man hunting expedition that left a week ago
for Koko Lake has returned with a catch of two
deer. Making up the members of the party were
Graham Arthur, Jack Carr,George Glendinning,
Harold Holtzmann and Bill Amos.
The Legion Poppy Day campaign in Exeter was
very successful again according to chairman Harvey
Pfaff. Top collector again was Fred Wells who raised
more than $200 himself.
55YEARS AGO
Oct. 28, 1949 — Cliff Brintnell, Rufus Kestle and
William Sims attended the 58th Battalion reunion
dinner at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto
Saturday night.
Ted Pooley picked some ripe strawberries from
his garden this week.
K.J. Lampman has completed 25 years of service
with the Ontario Electric Power Commission. He
and Mrs. Lampman are spending a month's holiday
in Bermuda.
60YEARS AGO
Oct. 26, 1944 — The Exeter Co -Operative has
received its charter as a limited liability company.
William Oestreicher is the first president. Life mem-
berships will cost $10. P. Passmore, secretary of the
Thames Road Farmers Club has been appointed
store manager.
80YEARS AGO
Oct. 26, 1924 — Mr. S. Fitton is remodelling his
store and dividing it into two.
William Elsie of Grand Bend and Milton Dietz of
Zurich have the distinction of being champions in
this district for wild geese shooting. On Monday they
shot eight and Tuesday they shot 10 which makes it
18 in two days.
Freeman Morlock has installed a radio set with a
loud speaker. Needless to say Freeman's Crediton
store is quite a community centre.
I I OYEARS AGO
Oct. 25, 1984 — Exeter merchant J.P. Clarke is
selling butter at 10 cents a pound and fresh eggs at
19 cents a dozen.
Seniors' Perspective
By Jim Bearss
ADULT ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATOR
Coming events:
Solo: Solo at the Lions Youth Centre, 125 John St. W.,
will be held every Wednesday starting at 1:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome. Call Ray or June Hodgson at 235-
2194 for more information.
Craft and Bake Sale: Bethel Reformed Church is host-
ing a Craft and Bake Sale by "Helping Hands" Nov. 6
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Exeter Olde Town Hall.
Contact Betty Brand at 235-3380 for more information.
Bake and Craft Sale: Saturday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to
12 p.m. at the Club House at the Riverview Estates,
Exeter. Turn east at the Beer Store and follow the signs.
Baking, crafts, door prizes and enjoy a coffee and a
muffin. Craft tables available for $5. For more informa-
tion call Anne Chapman at 235-3439.
"Educating Rita:" Friday, Nov. 12, River Run Centre,
Guelph. A painfully, funny, serious fairy tale. The
reports are very good. Coach, theatre and meal includ-
ed in price.
Sunday, Nov. 21: A bus tour of eight decorated (four
new and four older homes) bus tour 11 a.m. to 5 pm.
Tea, coffee and dessert 1 to 5 p.m. at the Red Anglican
Church, Lucan. Support our heritage fundraiser. Our
2005 historic calendars in colour are now out, cash
draw for $500 Jan. 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2005. Plus $25
every day of the year Cost is $20 each. One in three
chance to win and help build our new museum. Bus
pickups in Lucan and Exeter. Contact Harry Hardy for
more information Box 249, Lucan, Ont. NOM 2J0 227
4887 or 227 0444. E-mail harry@cruiseselloffs.com.
Mama Mia: Nov. 24. A good price. Only $93, including
a scrumptious meal. We are already planning a pickup
in Exeter. Anyone interested can call June Payette 519-
524-6295.
South Huron Diabetes Education Centre
The diabetes education centre at South Huron
Hospital is a one -day a week program where you may
learn about diabetes and self-management of diabetes.
To access this program you may be referred by your
physician or simply self refer by calling 235-2700 ext.
239. The program offers small group sessions or indi-
vidual counselling. The following sessions will be
offered this November:
Cholesterol Class: You will learn about heart healthy
eating to lower you risk for heart disease and stroke.
Date: Nov. 17. Time: 10-11:30 a.m. Place: South Huron
Hospital.
Meter Class: You will learn how to effectively use your
blood sugar meter to manage your diabetes and to
interpret results. Don't just test — test smart. Date:
Nov. 17. Time: 10-11:30 a.m. Place: South Huron
Hospital.
Introductory Diabetes Program: You will learn about
signs and symptoms of diabetes, risk factors, the impor-
tance of blood sugar control and healthy life styles.
Date: Nov. 24. Time: 7-9 p.m. Place: South Huron
Hospital.
Please call to register at 235-2700 ext. 239. All classes
are free.
Diabetes Awareness Day: Nov. 9. Exeter Lions Centre.
Guest speakers, free flu vaccinations from 1-4 p.m.
Library information:
The Exeter Book Club will hold the second meeting of
the fall at the library on Friday, Nov. 5. The book to be
discussed is "You Went Away" by Timothy Findley.
Please bring your lunch and join us at 12:30 p.m. for
coffee and a chat.
Helen Hodgins received her 25 years anniversary pin
from Huron County last week. Helen has also retired
from the library as supervisor. The occasion was cele-
brated with a staff dinner and a tea at the branch Oct.
9. Many patrons as well as past employees brought
Helen good wishes for her future.
Thank you to the friends of the library for co -hosting
the tea. Also thanks to the many library supporters who
donated the wonderful baked goods.
Information:
When you come to the municipal office, please pick up
information on `Jams, Jellies and Canning,' `Common
Sense Nutrition for Senior's in large print,' `Services for
Senior's, a Guide to Government of Canada Services for
Senior's and their Families,'(New) and also 'A Guide to
Programs and Services for Senior's in Ontario.' This
information and more is in the racks in the foyer.
Legion news and views:
"Membership:" This is a reminder that your 2005
membership is due. Fees are $38 until Nov. 30 and $43
starting Dec. 1.
Legion Auxiliary Bingo: Thursdays at 7 p.m. Oct. 28,
Nov. 18, Dec. 16. As of Dec. 16 bingo may be cancelled
due to lack of attendance.
Chicken Barbecue and Harvest Dance: Oct. 30, Exeter
at the Legion Branch 167, William Street. Barbecue,
6:30-8 p.m. and afterwards dance to Don Harvey's
Band from 8:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. Chicken barbecue and
dance tickets $20. Chicken barbecue tickets only $12.
Dance $10 at door. For more information contact: 235-
2962 or 235-1167.
Lest we forget:
For the next several weeks, out of respect for
Remembrance Day, I will be giving you very important
information about our fallen war heroes. After Nov. 11,
I'll then be giving you details about individual soldiers
again.
The poppy...the flower of remembrance:
Each November, millions of poppies blossom in
Canada. They blossom on the jackets,
dresses and hats of nearly half the
Canadian population and they have
blossomed over 80 years, since 1921.
The poppy is the symbol individuals
use to show they remember those who
were killed in the wars and peace
keeping operations Canada has been
involved in.
The association of the poppy to those
who had been killed in war existed for
at least 110 years prior to being adopt-
ed in Canada. There are records of a
correspondent who, during the Napoleonic War, wrote
of how thickly poppies grew over the graves of soldiers
in the area of Flanders, France.
The person who, more than any other, was responsi-
ble for the adoption of the poppy in Canada was a
Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War.
This person was Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of
Guelph.
John McCrae was a tall, boyish 43 -year-old member
of the Canadian Medical Corps. He was an artillery vet-
eran of the Boer War in South Africa and was described
as a person with the eye of a gunner, the hand of a sur-
geon, and the soul of a poet when he went into the line
at Ypres April 22, 1915.
April 22 was the first time the enemy used poison gas,
but the first attack failed and so did the next wave and
the next. In fact, for 17 days and nights the allies
repulsed wave after wave of the attacking enemy.
McCrae wrote: "One can see the dead lying there on the
front field. And in places where the enemy threw in an
attack, they lie very thick on the slopes of the German
trenches."
Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae, worked from a dressing
station on the bank of the Yser Canal, dressing hun-
dreds of wounded and never removed his clothes for
the entire 17 days. At times the dead and wounded
actually rolled down the bank from above his dugout.
At other times, while awaiting the arrival of batches of
wounded, he would watch the men at work in the bur-
ial plots which were quickly filling up. In time, McCrae
and his unit were relieved and he wrote home: "We are
weary in body and wearier in mind. The general
impression in my mind is one of a nightmare."
Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae came away from Ypres
with 13 lines scrawled on a scrap of paper. The lines
were a poem, which started: "In Flanders fields the
poppies blow..."
These were the lines, which are enshrined in the
innermost thoughts and hearts of all soldiers who hear
them. John McCrae was their voice. The poem circulat-
ed as a folk song, by word of mouth and all who hear it
are deeply touched. In the United States for example,
the poem inspired the American Legion to also adopt
the poppy as the symbol of remembrance.
In Canada, the poppy was officially adopted by the
Great War Veterans Association in 1921 on the sugges-
tion of Mrs.E. Guerin, a French citizen. But there is little
doubt the impact of John McCrae's poem influenced
this decision. The poem speaks of Flanders fields, but
the subject is universal — the fear of the dead that they
will be forgotten, that their death will have been in
vain. Remembrance, as symbolized by the poppy, is our
eternal answer which belies that fear. Sadly,
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae died of pneumonia at
Wimereux near Boulogne, France Jan. 28, 1918 when
he was 44 years old.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae
See PERSPECTIVE page 6
Jim Bearss