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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-02-27, Page 5Wednesday, February 27, 2008 Times—Advocate 5 Opinion Forum News I OYEARS AGO February 25, 1998 - Gord Strang of Usborne Township defeated Jim Love of Hay Township for the position of chairman of the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority at the annual meeting Thursday night. Bill Dowson of Stanley Township and Bayfield is vice-chairman. Dave McClure of Stephen Township, a life-long conserva- tionist has received an ABCA Conservation award. Anne Marie Parsons of South Huron District High School has been selected to attend a leader- ship seminar for grade 10 students at Ridgetown College. 20 YEARS AGO February 17, 1988 - All residents of the town of Exeter are being issued an invitation to attend the 150th anniversary of their namesake in the state of New Hampshire in the United States. Five youths from Exeter are members of the 40 -voice Stratford Boys Choir. All five, Matthew Godbolt, Jeremy Brock, Gavin Snell, Gavin Poole and Jeremy Straw have been selected as part of an eight -member group that will be the Stratford choir's representation in a mass choir at a festival of music hosted by the Toronto choir on May 15. 30YEARS AGO February 16, 1978 - Roy Jewell of CFPL's farm show was the guest speaker at Thursday's Exeter Lions Farmer's night. 45 YEARS AGO February 15, 1963 - SHDHS declared public speaking winners in three classes last week. Winners were Elizabeth Gosar, John Lock, Sheila Fanner, Bob Higgins, Jane Poortinga and Grant Jones. Robert Grayer of J.A.D. McCurdy School at RCAF Centralia won the district public school mathematics competition held at Exeter Public School Monday night. Runner-up was Larry Ritchie. Helen Hendrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Hendrick of Exeter was chosen queen of the SHDHS 'at home dance' Friday night. LAC Paul McDowell and his two-year-old son were killed Saturday when they drove into the side of a passing train near Centralia. 50YEARS AGO February 16, 1958 - Margaret Elgie, 12 -year- old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elgie, R.R. 3 Kippen won the Times Advocate Champions spell -down held in conjunction with a Home and School Association meeting Tuesday night. The district is just digging itself out of 14.7 inches of snow which fell in four days. Some 50 people including passengers on an Ontario Motorways bus were forced to spend a night in the Exeter town hall. Norman Long, mail courier on Route 2 Kippen was unable to make his trip Monday for only the second time in 23 years. James G. Gardiner, former Minister of Agriculture suffered his first political defeat in 44 years of public life during Monday's landslide Tory win hi the federal election. 60YEARS AGO February 15, 1948 - Early Sunday morning , fire broke out in the recently erected Pentecostal Tabernacle and practically all of the interior was destroyed. For the first time in the history of Exeter, pho- tos were sent by wire from this village to appear in a Toronto newspaper. A Globe and Mail pho- tographer was in the riding Monday taking pic- tures in connection with the provincial election.The pictures were developed in Jack Doerr's studio and wired to Toronto. 85 YEARS AGO February 16, 1923 - The storm which raged for several days last week tied up traffic completely. They managed to get one train through each day. Messrs. Walter Cunningham and Thomas Pryde are in Toronto this week attending a con- vention of marble dealers. Messrs. D. Davis and D.A. Pollock of the Canadian Bank of Commerce enjoyed a long snowshoe tramp on Sunday last when they made a trip over the snow to the latter's home at Grand Bend. ROSS HAUGH BACK IN TIME Seniors' Perspective By Jim Bearss Adult Activities Co-ordinator A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." Thomas Jefferson Legion Activity Meat Draw Saturdays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. chicken wings available during meat draw on 2nd and 4th Saturday, eat in or take out. March 17 St Patrick's Day, come for the Legion's famous Irish stew 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Euchreama: Exeter Seniors are hosting a 'Euchreama' at the Exeter Legion on Feb. 29 starting at 10 a.m. Come for the food, fun, prizes and a good time. Bus Tour Sat., March 1: Show 2 p.m. Sarnia Imperial Music Productions presents a musical comedy, "Stepping Out". Before the show, we will have a maple syrup meal (pancakes and other foods) at 10 a.m. Bus leaves Exeter Legion at 9 a.m. Leaves Lucan Arena at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $80 per person. No walking. First call your friends, and relations. Then contact Harry Hardy, 227- 4887 or 227-0444, Box 249, Lucan, Ont. NOM 2J0 E- mail harry@cruiseselloffs.com Don't be left out, many requests for this tour. Lucan Seniors `Sunshine Club's Annual Shamrock Euchre to be held on Thurs., March 13 starting at 10 a.m. at the Lucan Community Centre. Admission for this fun event is $6. Special draws, game prizes, win from the leprechaun's pot. Casino Trip: Hiawatha Horse Park and or Point Edward, Sarnia on March 10th. Bus leaves Exeter Legion at 10 a.m. returns at 6 p.m. For more informa- tion about this trip, contact Harvey or Esther at 235- 1167. Stanley Old Time Country Music Jamboree will be held at the Varna Complex on March 5, 1:30-3:30 p.m., everyone is welcome. The Singing Farmer: Wingham Town Hall Heritage Theatre is hosting The Singing Farmer (Murray Williams) on Sim., March 2 at 2 p.m. You've heard the songs "Thank a Farmer" and "Farmer Joe". Be a part of the salute to farmers. The theatre is located on 274 Josephine Street, Wingham. For ticket information call 1-866-357-4082. Elvis is coming to Exeter on Sun., May 4. Roy LeBlanc has twice won the world's best Elvis impersonator title. He will be performing a concert of Elvis and Roy Orbison gospel music at Exeter United Church on Sun., May 4 at 7 p.m. This is a show you will not want to miss. Tickets are available from Joyce Morgan at Exeter United Church 235-0860, Dinney Furniture, Len Fleet or Bob Clark at Exeter Legion and MacLean's Home Hardware. Get your tickets early since every performance from Amhersberg to Hanover has sold out. Concert Series at the Exeter United Church on March 2 at 2 p.m. Carolyn Joles and Jordan Baldwin, Violinist. Carolyn is a 16 year old soprano soloist who sings in many concerts in London churches. Many heard her sing at Trivitt's "Lessons in Carol" services in December, 2007. Congratulations St Marys: Within three short years, the town of St Marys has skyrocketed from first time competitor in the National Winter Lights celebrations to national winner for last year's beautiful exhibition. Tax time Things people try to claim. Tax time is a time when Canadians are willing to try just about anything to legal- ly reduce their tax bill. So before you collect up your receipts, here is some advice on what deductions you can and can't claim. Maternity clothes are not considered a medical expense by Canada Revenue Agency and pets with peo- ple names cannot be claimed as dependents. However, our tax system does allow you to challenge the guide- lines if you believe you have a legitimate deduction that the CRA will not let you claim. The tax courts can side with the taxpayer. For exam- ple, the court decided a farmer was allowed to claim cat and dog food because they were outdoor pets meant to keep wildlife away from their blueberries. Many people incur expenses directly relate to their job but unfortunately, most of these cannot be claimed against employment income. For the serviceman required to get a haircut every two weeks, it was still considered a personal expense. The Canada Employment Amount will give working Canadians a little credit for their jobs. If you had employment income in 2007, you will be able to claim the credit. Hair transplants are considered a medical expense since it is considered to be beneficial to the patient's health. You can always ask if something is covered. You may be surprised to fmd there are already guidelines on a deduction or credit. You can file a Notice of Objection if a deduction is declined. Independent Plus Listowel Ottawa to limit phosphates in cleaners Chemicals in common household cleaning products are being targeted by a federal government initia- tive aimed at stopping the spread of toxins in lakes and rivers. The Federal Environment Minister John Baird announced that Ottawa will cap the amount of phosphates found in laundry and dishwasher detergents. Under the changes, phosphates will no longer be able to comprise more than 0.5 per cent of a detergent by 2010. The Canadian Press Drivers deserve selective flashing Examples: (a) If some idiot will blow by a visible speed -trap at the side of the road, then said idiot is not paying atten- tion to his or her driving, and will not see that kid play- ing ball nearby. The idiot needs to be caught, and woken up. Speed rarely causes mishaps but lack of attention surely does. Motorist from Fenelon Falls (b) I have always felt that anyone who speeds while driving a vehicle is incredibly selfish. After my sister, an innocent pedestrian was killed due to someone speed- ing, my feelings only increased. Whenever I see a police officer giving someone a ticket for speeding, I quietly thank him or her while driving by. As far as I'm con- cerned, if you are warning someone who is doing some- thing illegal so they can continue passing the police you should be ticketed. Would this be acceptable in the com- mission of any illegal activity? If your vehicle doesn't have a siren blaring and a flashing red light on to, don't speed. Resident Halliburton (c) As a school bus driver, I am always amazed by the lack of knowledge that some drivers possess. Almost every day, I experience vehicles including semi -trailers running the overhead flashing lights and stop arm on the 48 -seat bus that I drive. The law states that all vehi- cles approaching a school bus with flashing lights must stop a safe distance from the bus. This applies to vehi- cles approaching the bus from the front or back where no median exists. One would think that a substantial fine, gain of points plus an increased insurance premi- um would be a deterrent to this behaviour, but it is obvi- ously not. A school bus driver from Brantford Info from Wheels Toronto Star Love never dies A sweet story to share...hoping life doesn't come to this, but if it does, may it be kind. It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9 a.m. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be an hour before some- one would be able to see him. I saw him look at his watch and decided since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he appeared to be in a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat break- fast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recog- nized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled and he patted my hand said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is." I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life." True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain! Upon entering the little country store, the stranger noticed a sign saying, `Danger! Beware of Dog!' posted on the glass door. Inside he noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor beside the cash register. He asked the store manager, "Is that the dog folks are supposed to beware of?" "Yep, that's him," he replied. The stranger couldn't help but be amused. "That certainly doesn't look like a dangerous dog to me. Why in the world would you post that sign?" "Because," the owner replied, "before I post- ed the sign, people kept tripping over him." Jim Be arss