HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-08-24, Page 66
Exeter Times—Advocate
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Opinion Forum News
Seniors' perspective
Continued from page 5
increase your flexibility and overall fitness - and it can
do wonders for your spirits.
Exercise confers an even more direct benefit. Did
you know you're 'feeding' your joints when you're
active? Cartilage - the tough gristle that protects the
ends of bones - depends on joint movement to absorb
nutrients and remove waste. Activity actually helps
keep joints healthy.
Here's another way to look at it: Exercise is one part
of your treatment program over which you can assert
control. It's a chance to confront arthritis directly and
maybe reclaim some favourite activities the disease
has stolen from you - and discover some new ones,
too. The trick is getting started and sticking with your
program.
Before you start pumping iron or running
marathons, though, get a little expert coaching. Check
with your doctor or physiotherapist to make sure the
activity you're planning to take up isn't out of your
league.
Legion news
Annual yard and bake sale to be held in the Legion
Sat., Aug. 27: many items are needed and please con-
tact Harvey Hillman at (519) 236-1167 or the Legion
at (519) 235-2962 for more information. Sources tell
me there will be a large amount of good homestyle
baking. Come early in the morning to get the best
deals, whether for food or high-quality bargains.
Casino trip to Point Edward
Mark your calendar for Aug. 29 at the Legion on
William Street, Exeter. You will be picked up by bus
at 10 a.m. and should be home by 6:30 p.m. Cost for
the day is $10 per person. For more information con-
tact Esther at 235-1167.
Lest We Forget
THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD AS WE
THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD;
AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM NOR
THE YEARS CONDEMN.
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Ernest Smokey Smith, Victoria Cross
The story
Oct. 21, 1944: Pte. Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith
crosses the swelling Savio River to secure the far
bank. But the river rises and his small company is cut
off. They are soon attacked by 30 German soldiers
and three tanks. Switching between a Thompson sub-
machine gun and PIAT anti-tank gun, Smokey repels
the attackers, carries a wounded comrade to safety,
and holds the position until reinforcements arrive. His
actions earn him the Victoria Cross. He is one of just
16 Canadians to receive the Commonwealth's highest
military award for valour during World War II. Only
1,354 VCs have been bestowed worldwide since
Queen Victoria instituted the honour in 1856.
Did you know?
• The Victoria Cross is the highest decoration that
can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces
"for gallantry in the face of the enemy." It was creat-
ed in 1856 after the Crimean War.
• The Victoria Cross is a bronze medallion on a dark
red ribbon. The medallions are made from the bronze
of Russian cannons captured at Sebastopol during the
last great battle of the Crimean war in 1854-55.
• Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith, from New
Westminster, B.C., was a private in the Seaforth
Highlanders.
• He is Canada's last living Victoria Cross recipient,
one of only ten still alive in the Commonwealth. In
2003 he travelled to London for the unveiling by
Queen Elizabeth of a plaque in their honour.
• "I don't consider myself a hero," Smith said at the
time. "That's what they asked me to do. The people I
consider heroes are all dead. They got killed. They're
buried. It's not me."
• In 2004 Smith returned to Italy to visit the site of
his bravery 60 years later. He was greeted by
Canadian Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson, Canadian
Veterans Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieiri and the
Mayor of Cesena.
• Sitting in a wheelchair he calls "my staff car,"
Smith's trademark wit was clearly still with him at
age 90. Asked for his thoughts on his return, he sim-
ply said, "I'm older."
• Pte. Jimmy Tennant, who Smokey rescued during
his fight on the Savio River, survived the ordeal and
the two remained friends back in Canada until
Tennant's death a few years shy of their 60th
reunion.
Credits
Medium: Archives of CBC Radio, Program: Canadian
Scene, Episode: Victoria Cross Centenary Broadcast
Date: Jan. 29, 1956, Guest(s): Ernest Smith.
I'm a senior citizen
I'm the life of the party... even when it lasts until
8 p.m.
I'm very good at opening childproof caps with a
hammer.
I'm the first one to find the bathroom wherever I
go.
I'm awake many hours before my body allows me
to get up.
I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a
word you are saying.
I'm quite aware that other people's grandchildren
are not as bright as mine.
I'm not grouchy, I just don't like traffic, waiting,
crowds, children, politicians.
I'm positive I did housework correctly before my
mate retired.
I'm walking more (to the bathroom) and enjoying
it less.
I'm a senior citizen and I think I am having the
time of my life.
Leave the driving
Joe: "I wish the women would leave the driving to
us."
John: "Hey! What happened?"
Joe: "My wife backed the car out of the garage this
morning."
John: "So what's wrong with that?"
Joe: "I backed it in last night."
Treat one another with respect
Dear Editor:
Mental illness is no secret. It is everywhere and affects everyone, and unfortunate-
ly, those who suffer from one are treated differently than those who don't. In short,
every person has some sort of illness or disability, and people with an illness are not
given credit for being smart, although on the right medication, most of us can live a
normal life.
The mentally ill are treated like dirt in society, which is appalling. When we apply
for a job, please don't ask us if we are dangerous or if we are capable of working
alone, because it is insulting. There are many people who should be on medication
and aren't, because they are seen as being on the "high class" list. The world thinks
mental illness only affects those from low-income families, which isn't true, so
please think again.
In closing, be mindful that people with a mental illness are human beings, not ani-
mals and should not be treated as such. All I ask is for each of us to treat one
another with respect. I am a mental illness survivor, my disorder being Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder. Thank you.
TAMMY BROWN,
Exeter
There are solutions
Dear Editor:
Re. Mr. Hamather's Aug. 17 letter to the editor.
First, I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Hamather for his public statement of
cooperation in finding a solution to the flooding problem. I am sure everyone in the
area appreciates this.
Second, I would like to correct the impression that I suggested "using expropria-
tion." I simply asked the council if expropriation is available should negotiations fail.
There is a subtle difference and I believe it only prudent to know your strengths and
weaknesses at the outset of any negotiations.
Third, Mr. Hamather's letter suggests the combined landowners "proposal" and
"request" for a 300 unit retirement community and expanded "Ironwood" failed.
This raises a number of questions and in the absence of more information will tend
to continue to feed rumour and innuendo. May I respectfully suggest that a summa-
ry of these negotiations prepared by town staff and approved by combined landown-
ers be made available to the public who have suffered "one more" flood in the
meantime. There is some truth to the saying that "information builds understanding
and consensus."
I would also like to voice support for Mr. Hamather's suggestion that "the best
solution is to put the pipe in the ground." A dug -out on the south side of Huron
Street would appear appropriate given the restrictions on the capacity of the Ann
Street drain. However, an underground drain with appropriately spaced and pro-
tected catch basins, along with the western boundaries of the landowners' proper-
ties from Huron Street to the river would provide protection to everyone west there-
of. It would permit continued farming operations over the drain while awaiting
future development, minimize the impact on the golf course and would be much
cheaper than a "dug -out" which has the problems identified by Mr. Hamather.
Looking at the topography involved, there may well be other solutions as well.
DOUG FLETCHER, concerned citizen,
Exeter
Heartfelt thanks to all
Dear Editor:
On behalf of Epilepsy Huron -Perth -Bruce, I would like to take this opportunity to
extend my gratitude and appreciation to the community for their participation dur-
ing the recent Glad Day Campaign in Exeter, Hensall and Zurich.
Special thanks to our coordinators, Ester Hillman, Mary Ducharme, Bill Gibson,
Trish McFadden and the many volunteers who work so diligently year after year.
Thank you also to Hansen's Independent (Exeter), Holtzmann's IGA (Exeter), BMO
(Hensall), Post Office (Exeter, Hensall and Zurich) for graciously allowing us to sell
on their premises. Heartfelt thanks to all those who purchased gladioli, raffle tickets
or made a donation during this campaign.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting members of
our community. The funds raised through this event will be used by our Chapter to
continue to provide information, counselling and educational programs in our com-
munity in the future. For more information about epilepsy please call 482-5527 or
e-mail epilepsy@tcc.on.ca.
Once again, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely, CAROLINE SIMONS, Executive Director
To the residents of Grand Bend and area:
I want to bring you up to date on the recent changes and activities at Grand Bend
Area Community Health Centre.
As you may know, there have been changes in the management of the Health
Centre in recent weeks, and as a result, the board has begun a search process for a
new executive director. A committee with broad representation from the community
has been formed to take on the task of presenting suitable candidates to the board.
This committee is already well underway with this process, and expects to present a
list of recommended candidates to the board later in October.
In the meantime, a management committee is in place at the Health Centre.
Comprised of key senior managers, a physician, a nurse practitioner and two mem-
bers of the board's executive committee, this group meets weekly to provide opera-
tional direction for the centre. As a result, there has been no disruption of primary
care or wellness services, a key goal of everyone involved with the Health Centre.
We continue to maintain the same level of health care staffing as we have for the
past several months.
While this should provide reassurance to those who currently receive health care
at the centre, we recognize that not everyone in this area has access to a family doc-
tor or health care professional. I assure you that we are providing the maximum
level of physician services for which we have funding. However, the loss of practi-
tioners in the area is causing an increase in demand for primary care that we are
not resourced to meet.
We encourage area residents to put your names on the waiting list at the Health
Centre; physicians are taking patients off the waiting list, with a priority given to
those in our catchment area who do not currently have a family physician.
The staff of Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre are a highly qualified
team committed to delivering the highest standard of health care possible to the
people of this area. The board of directors is committed to providing the support
and the environment to achieve this. I am confident that together we will prove that
this CHC is a model for health care in Ontario.
Sincerely,
DAVID BANNISTER, chair, board of directors