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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-12-01, Page 5Wednesday, December 1, 2004 Exeter Times–Advocate 5 Opinion Forum News ROSS HAUGH BACK IN TIME I OYEARS AGO Nov. 29, 1994 — As the result of the recent municipal elections, Stephen Township council includes reeve Bill Weber, deputy -reeve Tom Tomes and councillors Wilmar Wein, Harvey Ratz and Anita Riddell. At Lucan, the new council consists of reeve Tom McLaughlin, deputy reeve Harry Wraith and councillors Rob Brady, Reg Crawford and Rosemary Gahlinger-Beaune. Hugh Davis was honoured Wednesday night on his retirement after 37 years with the Exeter Public Utilities Commission. At the same time mayor Bruce Shaw presented a plaque to PUC chairman Murray Greene marking his service to the commission from 1963 to 1994. National Hockey League players have been locked out since Oct. 1 and there has been little headway in discussion between the players and league officials. 20 YEARS AGO Dec. 2, 1984 — At the recent Exeter oldtimers hockey tournament, the Molting Hawks eldest statesman Al Flynn at the age of 58 presented the oldest player award to 70 -year-old Reg Hammond of London Intra City. The Exeter R.E. Pooley Royal Canadian Legion has made a donation of $10,000 to the Exeter fire department to purchase vehicle extrication equipment. When Judge William Cochrane presides over Provincial Court in Goderich today it will mark the end of a legal career in Huron County that spanned almost 40 years. The new Lucan Scout -Guide hall was officially opened Sunday afternoon. 35YEARS AGO Dec. 1, 1969 — Bill Sturdevant is the new president of the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce. Exeter police chief Ted Day has reported that 15 snow machines were stopped this week and given warnings regarding erratic driving and excessive noise. Ratepayers of only two area municipalities went to the polls Monday. In Hensall incumbent reeve Oliver Jaques defeated rival Minnie Noakes by 261 to 145 votes. Councillors elected were Hein Roseboom, Paul Neilands, John Baker and Leonard Erb. At Granton new trustees are Joseph Bryan, Kenneth Hodgins and Elmer Summers. 60YEARS AGO Dec. 2, 1944 — A big Red Cross auction sale was held at Grand Bend Saturday. Frank Taylor was the auctioneer and Norman Turnbull was the clerk. Farm Forums have begun again and continue to be very popular. S.S. No. 3 Stephen meets at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Dearing, the Shipka group meets at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Love and at Sharon it will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Haugh. The current big question for the forums is"Can future farmers make a living." 85YEARS AGO Nov. 30, 1919 — Those passing Senior Fourth exams at S.S. 2 in Hay Township were Gretta Aldworth, Hannah Murray, Frank Wildfong, Leonard Greb and Bruce Tuckey. Earl Shapton has been named president of the Stephen Unit of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture. Official announcement has been made of the appointment of William Triebner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Triebner of Stephen Township as Excise Officer for the Inland Revenue Department for the province of Alberta. I I OYEARS AGO Dec. 1, 1894 — Centralia school trustrees have engaged Miss Robertson of Blanshard as teacher of the junior department at an annual salary of $220. John Shields of Parkhill has this year taken three crops from a piece of ground 20 feet square. The first was cabbage which realized $18, the second celery for $10 and celery again for $5. Tuckersmith council has accepted the bid of Mr. Hardy of Exeter to build a bridge over the Silver Creek, east of Egmondville for $180. At Exeter council, Captain Howard said the electric dynamo was here and would have the electric lights in a few nights. Senior▪ s' Perspective By Jim Bearss ADULT ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATOR Hot Meals On Wheels: This support service delivers a meal to individuals to meet their nutritional requirements. The meals are delivered by volunteers who provide a regular social contact and check on the health and safety of the client. The meals can be received from Monday until Friday in the evening. Order through Town and Country Support Services at 235-0258 who will come to your home to do an Intake and to set up this service. Coming events: Coach Bus tour from Lucan and Exeter: Thursday, Dec. 2: Festival of Northern Lights, Owen Sound, num- ber one in Ontario for the past three years. Over 225 lights, 13 kilometres by the river including the decorated Chi-Cheemaun, coach fare, theatre (seasonal music and entertainment) and evening festival turkey dinner. This is one tour everyone enjoys. For times and prices, con- tact Harry Hardy, 227-4887 or 227-0444. Christmas dinner The Oddfellows, Rebekahs and spouses will have their annual Christmas dinner Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Oddfellows Hall. All brothers and sisters welcome. Centralia/Huron Park Lions Bingo and Christmas Draw: Sunday, Dec. 5. Doors open at 12 p.m. Bingo starts at 1 p.m. Progressive jackpot $1,000 in 55 num- bers. Will be held at the South Huron Rec Centre, Exeter. The Story of Christmas: Sunday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Cantata at Caven Presbyterian Church. A dramatic musical with Scripture reading and costumed choirs of Caven and Precious Blood churches supplemented by singers from the surrounding area. Four United Church choir members are participating: Janice Brock, Wench Schwindt, Bill Mickle and Don McCaffrey. A free will offering will be taken. Exeter and Area Senior's Christmas Dinner and Meeting: Exeter Senior's are hosting their annual Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and fellowship to follow Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. For ticket information call Jane or Gerald Deering at 235-0757. Holiday Bereavement Workshop: On Wednesday, Dec. 8, the VON is hosting a Holiday Bereavement Workshop to be held at the Lions Youth Centre at 125 John St. W., Exeter. Please feel free to attend this very important event, especially if you have lately been left alone, because of your loved one's death or other individual reasons. Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Please call Kim Winbow at 235-2510 for more information. News from Exeter Library: CAP is back: The Exeter library is pleased to announce CAP has returned! Computer and Internet lessons are now offered free of charge at Exeter Branch Library. Tyler Markham will be happy to assist you with your own personal tutorial on the computer. The lessons will be offered until March 2005. Please call the library at 235-1890 to schedule your appointment with Tyler. What's happening in Grand Bend: Dec. 5: "A Yuletide Evening" Grand Bend United Church, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy A Christmas Carol reading done by local personalities. Tickets $10. Call 238-1307 or 238-8585 for details. Dec. 6: "Holiday Bereavement Support" 1:30-4 p.m. Grand Bend Area CHC, 69 Main St E. Please join us as we offer a afternoon of coping strategies and support to help you get through the holidays after the loss of a love one. Call Cindy Maxfield to register 238-1556 ext 6. Dec. 7: "Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group" 7 p.m. Adult Day wing Grand Bend Area CHC 69 Main St E. Call Shirley Phillips for info, 235-1545. Dec. 12: "Community Breakfast with Santa" Port Franks Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Presented by the Ausable Port Franks Optimists. Meals are $3/children, $5/adult. Everyone welcome! Dec. 14: "Port Franks Garden Club Christmas Dinner" Grog's Restaurant 7 p.m. Phone Marg at 243-1121 for info. Dec. 14: "Women's Probus Club of Grand Bend and Area" 9:30 a.m., Grand Bend Legion, will present their Christmas program featuring the "Sweet Adelines Quartet" and guest speaker Jim Sneider of Cranberry Lane. See you there! Dec. 14: "Living with Cancer Support group" 7 p.m. Adult Day Centre, Grand Bend Area CHC. Everyone wel- come! Call Pat at 786-5290 for more details. Dec. 18: "Meat Raffle" at Grog's Restaurant 2-4 p.m. Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Ausable Port Franks Everyone welcome! Proceeds to new playground equip- ment. The staff of the Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre wishes everyone healthy, happy holidays. Legion news and views: Legion Auxiliary Bingo: Thursdays at 7 p.m. Dec. 2, Dec. 16. As of Dec. 16 bingo may be cancelled due to lack of attendance. New Years Eve Dance: See the old year out and the new one in at the Exeter Legion Branch 167. Time: 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Music by Don Harvey. $15 per person or $25 per couple. For tickets call 235-2962 or 235-1167. Tribute to Rodney Dangerfield: "I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio." "I went to a nude beach, and they told me it wasn't polite to point." "I come from a stupid family. During the civil war my great uncle fought for the west!" "My mother had morning sickness after I was born." "When I played in the sandbox the cat kept covering me up." "I stuck my head out the window and got arrested for mooning." "I met the surgeon general. He offered me a cigarette!" "I'm a bad lover. Once I caught a peeping tom booing me." "I was tired one night and I went to the bar to have a few drinks. The bar- tender asked me, 'What'll you have?' I said, 'surprise me.' He showed me a naked picture of my wife." "My psychiatrist told me I'm going crazy. I told him, 'If you don't mind I'd like a second opinion.' He said, "All right, you're ugly too." "My wife and I were happy for 20 years. Then we met." "I tell ya I get no respect from anyone. I bought a cemetery plot. The guy said, 'There goes the neighbor- hood!'" "When I was born, I was so ugly that the doctor slapped my mother." "When I started in show business, I played one club that was so far out, my act was reviewed in Field and Stream." "Every time I get in an elevator, the operator says the same thing to me: 'Basement?" "When my parents got divorced, there was a custody fight over me ... and no one showed up." "When I was three years old, my parents got a dog. I was jealous of the dog, so they got rid of me." "When we got married, the first thing my wife did was put everything under both names — hers and her moth- er's." "With my wife, I don't get no respect. The other night there was a knock on the front door. My wife told me to hide in the closet." "With my wife, I get no respect. I fell asleep with a cig- arette in my hand. She lit it." A Little Old Lady's Poem of Life: To finish this year I want to leave you with this poem: When an old lady died in a geriatric ward of a small hos- pital near Dundee, Scotland, it was felt that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem: What do you see, nurses, what do you see? What are you thinking when you're looking at me? A crabby old woman, not very wise, Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes, Who dribbles her food and makes no reply When you say in a loud voice, "I wish you'd try!" Who seems not to notice the things that you do, And forever is losing a stocking or shoe... Who, resisting or not, let you do as you will, When bathing and feeding, the long day to fill... Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am as I sit there so still, As I do at your bidding, as I eat as your will. I'm a small child of 10... with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters, who love one another. A young girl of 16, with wings on her feet, Dreaming that soon now a love she'll meet. A bride soon at 20 — my heart gives a leap, Remembering the vows that I promised to keep. At 25 now, I have young of my own, Who needs me to guide and secure happy home. A woman of 30, my young now grown fast, Bound to each other with ties that should last. At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone, But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn. At 50 once more, babies play round my knee, Again we know children, my loved one and me. Dark days are upon me my husband is dead, I look at the future I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing young of their own, And I think of the year and the love that I've known. I'm now an old woman...and nature is cruel: Tis jest to make old age look like a fool. The body, it crumbles, grace and vigour depart, There is now a stone when I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells, And now again my battered heart swells. See PERSPECTIVE page 6 Jim Bearss