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