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The Times Advocate, 2005-11-16, Page 66 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, November 16, 2005 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 We will never know what you've experienced and we can never repay you. We will never know how you felt when you were first called to join the navy, air force or the army. Some of you were less than 18 -years -old. It must have been diffi- cult to leave everyone and everything that was familiar to you not knowing if you would return. Some of you left your parents, some of you left your wife and children, or maybe some of you left your fiance or girlfriend to go to war. We will never know how scared you were travelling to foreign countries. We will never know how you felt when being taught to kill your enemy. We will never know the trauma you experienced when you witnessed your best buddy killed or seriously hurt right before your eyes. We will never know how you might have been treated as a prisoner of the enemy. We will never know how homesick and lonely you would have become over time. We will never know how sad you would have felt to be away from your family at Christmas or special holidays that the family celebrates together. There would be other times that you would be so sad such as: missing the birth of your child, watching his/her first steps, or your child's first day of school. There would have been other special moments or events such as your child's birthdays, graduation, wedding, or even your own wed- ding anniversary. We will never know how the heartache you felt when you could only communicate to your loved ones by writ- ing letters, and never being able to hear their voices. We will never know how happy you were when you found out the war was over and you finally got to go home and see your friends and family We will never know how the war has changed or affected you. WE WILL NEVER KNOW. By Rebecca Giebat, Grade - St. Boniface School Maryhill Ontario. A MAN is eating in a fancy restaurant and there is a gorgeous blond eating at the next table. He has been checking her out all night, but lacks the nerve to go talk to her. Suddenly she sneezes and her glass eye comes flying out of her socket towards the man. He reflexively grabs and snatches it out of the air. "Oh my god, I am s000 sorry," the woman says as she pops her eye back into place. "Let me buy you dinner to make it up to you." They enjoy a wonderful dinner together and after- wards the woman invites him to the theater followed by drinks. After paying for everything, she asks him if he would like to come to breakfast the next morning. When he arrives the next morning, she has cooked a gourmet meal with all the trimmings. The guy is amazed!! "You know, you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?" "No, she replies... Wait for it. It's coming. The suspense is killing you . "You just happened to catch my eye." Writers commend Stedmans for serving community well Dear Editor, Deb and Bob Gehan, owners of Stedmans V & S Department Store in Exeter, have always been there for the community and for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). Along with being supporters of the ABCA's environmental education program, year after year, Deb and Bob have happily supported our special events including the Conservation Dinner (of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club), Easter in the Park and our March Break Day Camps. Stedmans' continual support helped make these community events successful at raising funds for trail maintenance, environmental education and various other ABCA and ABCF projects. It has always been a treat going into Stedmans, due partly to the friendly staff's eagerness to help. This warm, genuine manner of doing business and helping the community will not easily be replaced. Whether Bob was helping me pull together education program supplies, assisting in gathering paint, felt and countless other craft materials, donating prizes for our annu- al Easter Egg Hunt, promoting our community events, or just sharing ideas, he con- stantly went out of his way to help. The ABCA's education department is surely going to miss the unmatched welcoming atmosphere at Stedmans, the staff's expertise in the line of craft supplies and Bob's tips and great ideas. The ABCA greatly appreciates the assistance and support Bob, Deb and their staff at Stedmans V&S have continually provided and will be sorry to see such a wonderful business go. We sincerely thank them for their years of service and wish them well on their final season in business and send our best wishes to them in the future. Yours truly, MATT REDMOND, conservation education specialist, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Dear Editor: After reading the announcement from Stedmans in the Times Advocate last Tuesday, I was saddened. I have done fundraising for years for our local ringette asso- ciation and have been at many other fundraising functions with minor sports, school, and youth groups where Stedmans V & S have made a great contribution of gifts to the cause. Bob & Deb's community support has been second to none and will be truly missed in the fundraising and activities I'm involved with. I wish both Bob & Deb good luck in their future endeavors and thank you for all you have done for the community. MICHELE HODGERT Dear Editor: Last week's announcement that Stedman's V & S was closing was perhaps some- thing people looked at quickly, and said "Oh, that's too bad" and went on to look at the rest of the paper. To many of us, it is a sign of our times. The article clearly tells us that they have to close because of declining sales. They are not retiring. We do not choose to use this forum to get into the debate of big box stores but as a matter of fact we do support local Exeter business and shop primarily in Exeter. The issue here is the need to recognize the people who do a lot for our community. Many of us forget to sincerely thank them for doing so much. Deb and Bob Gehan and their two great children have gone above and beyond the call of duty in our community. There is no one in South Huron who has not been posi- tively affected by their commitment to community. For the past 11 years there isn't a Scouter in the area that has not benefited from the structure and leadership of "Akela Bob". How many youth have been invested into scouting by him? Since 1990 the Exeter Lions Club has been fortunate to have "Lion Bob". The Precious Blood Church has been blessed to have the Gehan family involved in many church activities. "Mrs. Akela" has always been right there to answer questions on Bob's behalf while he is busy working on another community project. She has sac- rificed her time with Bob while he participates in yet another "worthwhile cause". We take it for granted that when we stop in at Stedmans and other local stores and ask them to support our programs, they will sponsor us. Seventeen years is a long time and our community has definitely prospered just by having trusted and great people like the Gehans amongst us. The fact of the matter is that these are special people in our community who know what a hard days work is. They are excellent examples of community people and they need to be recognized. The sales targets of the big box stores will not be able to come close to matching the generousity of small businesses like the Gehans here in Exeter. On Nov. 16 when you walk in to get a deal from Stedmans closing, they will still greet you with the same smile you always received. In a month or two from now we will have to shop else- where for our items, whether we like it or not... Deb and Bob "Akela" - thank you so much for your years of support, dedication and professionalism! GEORGE AND NANCY JANE FINCH - Exeter Dear Editor: I was surprised and saddened to read Deb and Bob Gehan's letter announcing the imminent closing of Stedmans V&S Department Store. Stedmans has been part of Main Street since opening its doors July 1, 1976. Bob and Deb took over in 1989. Besides serving their customers well, Bob and Deb have been a vital part of this community. Bob is an active member of Exeter BIA, the Lions Club and Precious Blood Catholic Church. He has volunteered his time with the Cubs and Scouts, judging at the fall fair, and other local ventures. The Gehans have also been exceedingly liberal with sponsorships. Two that come to mind are buying a gate at the Exeter Rodeo, and supporting South Huron Students' 24-hour famine money -raiser. I know from personal experience his generous response to appeals for donations of items for innumerable local charitable fundraising. He would say, "Come back in a day or so", and when you did, you would be given something you could proudly use for a door prize or in a silent auction, or for whatever event you were appealing for. Where else could you have your watch battery replaced for the price of the battery? Reading between the lines of the Gehan's letter, you can feel the pain and anguish this family has gone through in the last while as their livelihood slowly bled away. During this time, Bob and Deb have disguised their worries, remaining their courte- ous, helpful, affable selves. They have even continued the Wednesday 10 per cent seniors' discount on all purchases. We have been "penny wise and pound foolish", going elsewhere to save a few cents on craft supplies, housewares or clothing, resulting in the loss of an important Exeter asset. I predict that we will not realize how much we have lost until Stedmans closes its doors for the last time. I pray that as this door closes, another will quickly open for this deserving couple and their family. YvONNE REYNOLDS Community debate needed Dear Editor: Some people in the community have been speculating as to my motives regarding these letters I have been writing the last few months. I would like to take this opportu- nity to explain myself. I have been a longtime critic of the present council and administration and like most, I made my comments in casual conversation with various councillors as well as discussing them with friends and acquain- tances. Then four years ago, I began putting my concerns on paper and sending them to the administration and to councillors. From these efforts I received no response or action. Then, as most of you are well aware, I began voicing my opinions in this paper. To this end I have been getting a reaction from council and the administration of South Huron, although mostly negative and counter-productive. At a break in the last council meeting Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin made a disturbing comment. He stated that it is his policy not to respond to negative comments, espe- cially those printed in the newspaper. His reasoning is that the "T -A is only interested in controversy in order to make money". I was taught that in a democracy the news- paper plays an important role which includes reporting on the actions (or inaction) of the government and stimulating community debate on these actions. Mr. Urlin's poli- cy seems to work against this principle. What is the editor's opinion on this? Yours truly, DEAN DUCHARME, Huron Contractors Inc Letters to the Editor Need to honour on Nov. 1 1 Dear Editor: On Nov. 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. the First World War came to an end. After four years, this most brutal war that cost the lives of 70,000 Canadian soldiers, was finally over. These soldiers fought in the most horrible conditions: in the mud, cold, under gas attacks, and storming behind German lines, many of them paid the supreme sacrifice, losing their lives. Here at home in Canada the Royal Canadian Legions started to honour the veterans all over the country at the local cenotaphs in their towns. These ceremonies included the participation of the local authorities and citizens, with prayers, salutes and wreaths being placed to honour the dead. This always takes place on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. So far they have succeeded in keeping the flame alive, which is sometimes difficult in the world of today. We must encourage the young people to remember the veterans and what they did for our country. These brave Canadian soldiers, who gave their lives for our freedom in both World Wars from 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 and in other conflicts around the globe, should be honoured on Nov. 11 at the cenotaph, not on the weekend before or after, as hap- pened in some places this year. Yours truly, FRED MACDONALD AND PETER KLYNSTRA