HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-02-01, Page 5Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Exeter Times—Advocate
5
Opinion Forum News
ROSS
HAUGH
BACK IN TIME
I OYEARS AGO
January 31, 1996 - This year will
mark the 10th anniversary of the
Grand Bend Winter Carnival and
its mascot's birthday. Benguin is a
life-size black, red and white bird
that was named by local youth,
Jonathan Lovie in a contest held
during the first year of the carnival.
This year's chairperson John
Musser says 30 events are
planned.
The Exeter Legion had 13 new members join the
local branch recently. They are Anne and Bill
Armstrong, Doug Ritchie, Charlie Atthill, Jeff
Lindenfield, Barb Ferguson, Bill Parsons, Harvey
Kennedy, Susan Dolphin, Marina Morrissey, Marg
Foster, Betty Bowerman and Fran Ritchie.
20YEARS AGO
January 29, 1986 - Congratulations to 14 year-old
Scott Merner of Zurich who won first prize in a
horse riding competition for barrel racing at a
weekend show near Toronto.
35 YEARS AGO
February 4, 1971 - The area continues to dig out
from one of the worst blizzards on record and indi-
cations are it will be some time yet before the area
is back to normal. Township Central schools re-
opened Wednesday, but many students were still
missing as school buses could not navigate several
roads making it six consecutive days without bus
service.
One group that needs special thanks are the
many snowmobilers who actually risked their lives
in getting much needed food to area school students
and rescuing a number of stranded people. Exeter
police chief Ted Day remarked, "They saved the
day."
45 YEARS AGO
January 29, 1961 - Ralph Hicks, former owner of
Exeter Frozen Foods was recently named secretary
of the Grand Bend and Area Chamber of
Commerce.
Susan Dinney and George Godbolt topped the
field of 26 competitors to win first prize in the annu-
al junior public speaking contest staged at SHDHS
Thursday.
50YEARS AGO
January 31, 1956 - Betty Brady was elected presi-
dent of "Juke Box Corners", Exeter's new teen age
club. Recreation director Doug Smith conducted the
election.
At a dinner meeting in Seaforth Saturday evening,
80 representatives of various centres in the South
Huron riding met to discuss the organizing of a
Women's Conservative Association,
Jack Weber Ltd. of Exeter has purchased the
reserve champion turkey at the Ontario Turkey
Federation convention last week for $101.56 when
it was auctioned off. The bid amounted to $6.25 a
pound.
60YEARS AGO
January 31, 1946 - Mr. Gerald Smith who has
been a barber at Crediton, has entered into a part-
nership with Mr. Garnet Flynn. Gerald learned his
trade in Michigan and worked in Toronto for a
number of years.
Flight Lieutenants Jack Anderson, Crediton and
M.H. Hammond of Kirkton were included in the
King's New Year's Honour List for distinguished
service with the RCAF.
Douglas Brintnell who has been with the
Canadian Navy has returned home and will be on
leave for two weeks before being discharged.
Mr. Roy Goulding of Talbot Street Baptist Church
in London has been elected to the executive of the
London Centre of Canadian College of Organists.
85 YEARS AGO
January 21, 1921 - The Exeter -
Zurich hockey team did not survive the round in the
home and home games of the Northern hockey
league with Stratford, losing in Stratford Thursday
evening by a score of 6-2.
1 I OYEARS AGO
January 31, 1896 - Mr. Hamilton in Grand Bend
is thinking of starting up his mill as he has quite a
stock of logs and a lot of the stock being ties. He can
get them drawn cheaper now than the busier sea-
son.
C. Snell at the Exeter Packing House reports that
prices of pork are now low and he has fresh every
day a good supply of spare ribs, sausage,tender-
loins, head cheese, pigs feet, shanks and cuttings.
Seniors' Perspective
By Jim Bearss
ADULT ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR
The Senility Prayer:
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked
anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and
the eyesight to tell the difference.
Three Important Announcements:
Trade Fair & Information Expo:
(1) The 4th Annual Adult Trade Fair & Information
Expo is again planned for Wed., June 7. Hours are 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Huron Rec. Centre in Exeter.
Our trade show last year attracted up to 500 people from
the local and outlying areas, as well as over 50
exhibitors, continuous live, toe -tapping music, unique
activities, and valuable health and other information for
the older folks, their friends and families. This year's
show promises to be even more successful, with commit-
ments from many of the same exhibitors as last year.
Come for the information, entertainment and food.
Housing for Seniors
(2) Many of us are getting older, keeping our homes in
good condition, pay the bills, water, taxes, improvements
and maintenance etc. is becoming very challenging. The
Huron County Housing Coalition is a group of profession-
al people in all facets of housing, safe homes for kids,
women's shelters, CMHC, County Housing representa-
tives, legal representation, other groups and myself
attend monthly meetings at Huron County Housing
Corporation, Clinton.
My goal is to have housing for senior's a priority in
Exeter. There is a need for senior's housing, such as an
apartment or a condominium. I can envision a building
such as that in the down -town area, three or four stories
high, secure entrance, elevator, lots of parking and close
to downtown shopping. People who want such a build-
ing have their names in at St. Mary's facilities and other
areas where housing for them exists. I need your input
and suggestions for such a venture.
Employment for Seniors:
(3) LET'S take a look at the landscape for older work-
ers as it unfolds today. Baby boomers will begin to
reach age 65 by 2010. Although prevailing attitudes in
our society remain slanted against older workers,
already there are profound changes taking place.
Myth about Older Workers:
Myth 1: You can't teach an old dog new tricks
Reality: Studies show only negligible loss of cognitive
function of people under 70. While older workers take
longer to absorb completely new material, their better
study attitudes and accumulated experience lower train-
ing costs. The fastest growing group of Internet users is
people over 50.
Myth 2: Training older -workers is a lost investment
because they will not stay on the job for long.
Reality: The future work life of an employee over 50
usually exceeds the life of new technology for which the
workers are trained.
Myth 3: Older workers are not as productive as
younger workers.
Reality: Overall productivity does not decline as a func-
tion of age. Productivity can actually rise due to greater
worker accuracy, dependability and capacity to make
better on the spot judgments. Older worker's production
rates are steadier than other age groups.
Myth 4: Older workers are less flexible and adaptable.
Reality: Older workers are just as adaptable once they
understand the reason for changes. They are more
likely to ask why, because they have often seen past
changes in processes and procedures abandoned in
mid -stream when they didn't bring expected
rewards quick enough.
Myth 5: Older workers are not as creative or
innovative.
Reality: General intelligence levels are the same
as younger workers. Employees over 40 years old
produce eighty per cent of the most workable and
worthwhile new production ideas.
Myth 6: Older workers cost more than hiring
younger workers.
Reality: While workers with tenure are entitled to pen-
sion costs related to number of years worked, replacing
workers is not cost free. Aetna Insurance Company did a
study on this issue and discovered these factors added 93
per cent to the first year's salary of new employees.
Myth 7: Benefit and accident costs are higher for older
workers.
Reality: Total sick days per year of older workers are
lower than other age groups because they have fewer
acute illnesses and sporadic sick days. While individual
older worker's health, disability, and life insurance costs
do rise slowly with age, they are offset by lower costs due
to fewer dependents. Overall, fringe benefits stay the
same as a percentage of salary for all age groups. Older
workers take fewer risks in accident-prone situations
and statically have lower accident rates than other age
groups.
Permission to print this info by the "Over 55"
Employment Group, London Ontario:
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to place qualified older adults in gainful
employment that is mutually beneficial to both the per-
son and employer. Registration for individuals age 50+ is
by appointment only. If you want to work! I want to hear
from you. Tell me about yourself. For more information
about the trade fair, housing or employment, contact Jim
Bearss, South Huron Seniors Group at (519) 235-0310 x
239 or mail to Box 759, Exeter ON NOM 1S6.
Coming Events:
Dining for Senior's:
Don Brine, Woodham Ontario is the February's lucky
winner for a free meal at "Dining for Senior's" held every
Tuesday at noon at the Exeter Lions Youth Centre on
125 John Street West. Congratulations Don and enjoy
your meal!
Euchreama:
Kirkton Women's Institute is sponsoring two euchrea-
mas this winter Feb. 16, and March 23. Held at the
Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre, Kirkton. The
game starts at 10 a.m. and lunch is provided and you
have a chance of winning prizes. Contact Jean Copeland.
(519) 229-8225 or Helen Shute 229-6159 for more infor-
mation
Alzheimer News:
Hensall Support Group is held the second Monday of
the month at Queensway Nursing Home from 7 to 9 p.m.
for more info please call 482-1482 or 1-800-561-5012
Grand Bend Support Group is held the first Tuesday of
the month at Grand Bend Community Health Centre
from 7 to 9 p.m. for more info please call 482-1482 or 1-
800-561-5012
Casino Bus Trip:
Dip into your piggybank and have money available for
Hiawatha Horse Park & Entertainment, Point Edward on
Mon., March 13. Bus leaves the Exeter Legion at 10 a.m.
and you will be home by 6 p.m. at night. Cost is $10 per
person. For more information and a seat reservation,
please contact Esther Hillman at (519) 235-1167
Centralia -Huron Park Lions Bingo:
Mark your calendar for Sun., Feb. 5 to play bingo at
the South Huron Rec. Centre. Doors open at noon and
bingo starts at 1 p.m.
Euchre Party:
Plan to attend a euchre party on Sat., Feb. 11 at the
Riverview Estates Community Hall straight east of the
Beer Store. Time for this event is from 1 - 4:30 p.m. $2
per person, lunch and prizes. Come out and enjoy your-
self.
VON Senior Support Services (Lucan area)
It takes only a single thought, a single action to move
the world.
An annual Christmas dinner, hosted by the VON
Senior Support services on Dec. 9 through their Lunch -
Out program which was held at the Lucan Memorial
Community Centre and the food was prepared by the
Birr United Church Women. The Lunch -Out program is
an ideal way to get senior's and shut-ins to go out and
enjoy good food and conversation. Upcoming lunch -out
dates are: Ilderton - Feb. 21, Hillside Restaurant; Lucan
- Feb. 7, Nellie's Bistro; Parkhill/Ailsa Craig - Feb. 23,
North Star, Elginfield. To reserve a spot to these lunch -
outs, or for more information about these and other ser-
vices, call the VON Senior Support Services
office at 227-4546.
VON Senior Support Services once again had
their "Meat and Fruit Pie" fundraiser last fall.
County wide, the sales were highest that they
have ever been and a portion of the proceeds
goes towards VON to fund the necessary ser-
vices they provide. The Whitmore's who live in
the area sold over 120 pies and personally
delivered each one! For more information
about this fundraiser, or about the services the
VON Senior Support Services offers, please call
Pam Tweddle, Coordinator; 227-4546 or 1- 800-561-
1555 or Anita Windsor, Administrative Assistant VON
Senior Support Services. North Central Region, 280 Main
Street, P.O. Box 880 Lucan, ON NOM 2J0 anita.wind-
sor@von.ca
LUCAN AREA HERITAGE and DONNELLY
MUSEUM:
Retracing History - Vigilante Route, Feel courageous!
Take a bus ride on Fri., Feb. 3 retracing history by tak-
ing the same route the Vigilante's Committee took the
night of the Donnelly Massacre, February the 3 rd, 1880.
The first bus leaves the Lucan Community Centre at 8
pm. and every half hour until the last bus at 1:30 a.m.
See where places are and were? A guided host will
See PERSPECTIVE page 6
Jim
Bearss