The Times Advocate, 2008-04-02, Page 5Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Times -Advocate
5
Opinion Forum News
I OYEARS AGO
Rebecca Darling of Exeter has
received the Canamera Foods
award for achieving high acade-
mic in Hotel and Restaurant
Management at Humber College
and Gail Brownlee of Crediton
gets the Voyageur Insurance
award for excelling in Travel and
Tourism, also at Humber College.
Hensall's Cara Gardner is mak-
ing quite a name for herself
among the hockey elite at Brown University in
Rhode Island. She was the only freshman
named to the American Women's College
Alliance championship tournament all-star
team.
20YEARS AGO
March 30, 1988 - Although the trumpeter
swan is an endangered species, thousands of
them still visit the corn fields near Grand Bend
as a stop over on their spring migration. The
sight of the large swans in the fields and flying
overhead has attracted many bird watchers to
the area to catch a glimpse of them and hear
their distinctive call.
30YEARS AGO
March 24, 1978 - Spring came officially late
Monday afternoon as Melvin Edward of 91
Main Street called the T -A to say he had spotted
two robins.
Exeter Hawks defeated Belmont 6-1 in the
first game of the OHA Junior "D" quarter finals.
Huron County's five secondary schools will be
open March 28, but whether or not there will be
any formal classes is up to the county's 274
striking school teachers.
Close to 100 police officers, both men and
women converged on the Huron Park area yes-
terday, as striking employees of Fleck
Manufacturing were joined by a bus load of fel-
low UAW workers from Kitchener. In all, about
65 OPP were at the main gate while a bus carry-
ing another 35 officers was parked on an
Usborne sideroad, east of Highway 4.
45 YEARS AGO
March 24, 1963 - Prime Minister John
Diefenbaker, who speaks to a Huron
Progressive Conservative rally in Goderich
Saturday afternoon will make a 10 minute stop
at the CNR station in Exeter on his way to
Sarnia.
Hensall council has agreed to hold a vote for
liquor outlets, on the questions of men's and
ladies' beverage rooms, dining lounges and
cocktail lounges.
Usborne township council has approved a
debenture issue of $160,000 for a new central
school.
50YEARS AGO
March 31, 1958 - The Stephen Township 4-H
calf club, first 4-H organization in that township
was organized at a meeting in Shipka Thursday
night.
Gordon Baynham, an electrician at RCAF
Centralia has been elected president of the
Exeter Kinsmen club for 1958-59.
Ralph Hicks, owner of Exeter Frozen Foods
announced this week that he has sold his locker
plant to Morley Hall of Benito, Manitoba.
Exeter District Junior Band practicing for
over a year will blossom forth this summer in
district competitions and local concerts. The
band is under the directorship of James Ford.
60YEARS AGO
March 30, 1948 - Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Love
have moved from their farm home near Kippen
to Exeter.
Mr. and Mrs. George Racey are moving to
Lucan where Mr. Racey has purchased a radio
business.
Elimville ladies met at the home of Mrs.
Frank Skinner to organize a Women's Institute.
Mrs. Papple installed the officers with Mrs.
Kenneth Johns as president.
Mr. Andy Snelgrove was in London for a few
days last week taking a course in refrigeration.
85 YEARS AGO
March 24, 1923 - Mr. Cliff Davis has resigned
his position at Heaman's Hardware and is leav-
ing for Windsor.
Messrs. Pollen and Foote have taken over the
garage on Main Street and with their new facili-
ties are well equipped to give first class service
ROSS
HAUGH
BACK IN TIME
Seniors' Perspective
By Jim Bearss
Adult Activities Co-ordinator
"A woman has the last word in any argument, any-
thing a man says after that is the beginning of a new
argument." Red Green
Friends of Music
Come and be entertained at the Exeter United
Church on Sun., April 13 starting at 2 p.m.
Friends of Music is a community based pro-
gram with a primary purpose to support the
performing arts in Exeter and the surrounding
community. Musicians of all ages and perform-
ing levels are encouraged to participate, from
the young to the not -so -young performer and Jim Bearss
from the beginner to the more advanced.
On the sixth day God turned to the Archangel Gabriel
and said: "Today I am going to create a land called
Canada. It will be a land of outstanding natural beauty.
It shall have tall majestic mountains full of mountain
goats, and eagles, beautiful sparkling lakes bountiful
with bass and trout, forests full of elk and moose, high
cliffs over -looking sandy beaches with an abundance of
sea life, and rivers stocked with salmon."
God continued, "I shall make the land rich in
resources so as to make the inhabitants pros-
per, I shall call these inhabitants Canadians,
and they shall be known as the friendliest peo-
ple on the earth."
"But Lord," asked Gabriel "don't you think you
are being too generous to these Canadians?"
"Not really," replied God "just wait and see
the winters I am going to give them." And now
you know the rest of the story. Joan Marshall -
Hamilton, Ontario
Dirt roads
What's mainly wrong with safety today is that too
many dirt roads have been paved. There's not a prob-
lem in North America today, crime, drugs, education,
divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if we
just had more dirt roads, because dirt roads give char-
acter. People who live at the end of dirt roads learn
early on that life is a bumpy ride. That it can jar you
right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if
at the end you have a loving spouse, happy kids and a
dog. We wouldn't have near the trouble with our edu-
cation system if the kids got their exercise walking a
dirt road with other kids, from whom they learn how to
get along. There was less crime in our streets before
they were paved. Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles
to rob or rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by five
barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun. And there
were no drive-by shootings. Our values were better
when our roads were worse! People didn't worship
their cars more than their kids and motorists were
more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the
bumper or the guy in front of you wouldn't choke you
with dust and bust your windshield with rocks. Dirt
Roads taught patience. Dirt Roads were environmen-
tally friendly; you didn't hop in your car for a litre of
milk you walked to the barn for your milk. For your
mail, you walked to the mailbox. What if it rained and
the dirt road got washed out? That was the best part,
then you stayed home and had some family time, roast-
ed marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode
on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make pretti-
er quilts than anybody. At the end of dirt roads, you
soon learned that bad words tasted like soap. Most
paved roads lead to trouble. Dirt roads more likely lead
to a fishing creek or a swimming hole. At the end of a
dirt road, the only time we even locked our car was in
August, because if we didn't some neighbour would fill
it with too much zucchini. At the end of a dirt road,
there was always extra springtime income, from when
city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a
team of horses and pull them out. Usually you got a
dollar...you always got a new friend...at the end of a
dirt road. By Paul Harvey, Contributed by Ron Bogart
Survey says
A new survey from Sigma Assistel, a leader in tele-
phone assistance and a subsidiary of Desjardins
Financial Security; says that one in 10 Canadian adults
are concerned about identity theft. The survey suggests
that 45 per cent of Canadian adults didn't know their
future credit card purchases could be declined if their
identity is stolen. Seventy-four per cent have never
asked for a report from a credit reporting agency to
confirm the accuracy of their credit record.
It also suggests that 37 per cent aren't aware a
fraudster could buy anything such as a household
appliance on credit from a major retailer using the vic-
tim's name. Twenty-five per cent didn't know that a
stolen identity could damage their personal credit
score for months or even years.
The banana test
There is a very, very tall coconut tree and four ani-
mals, King Kong, an Ape, a Gorilla and a Monkey pass
by. They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to
get a banana off the tree. Who do you guess will win?
Your answer will reflect your personality. So think
carefully...Try and answer within 30 seconds. Got
your answer? Now let's see the analysis. If your
answer is: Gorilla -you're dull and normal, Ape -you're
a moron, Monkey -worse, you're an idiot, King
Kong -you're hopelessly stupid.
Why? A coconut tree doesn't have bananas!
Obviously you're stressed and overworked. Take some
time off and relax! Try again later and see if you get it
right. Jane Dearing
In closing a short few words in the passing of two
men I knew and respected. Ray Hodgson was always
there with a smile, a quiet word and sometimes a good
joke. Most recently is Sam Skinner who I knew from
my farming days and with the senior organizations. I
will remember both men, as others will.
Euchre
Plan to go to this fun event on Sat., April 12. Euchre
starts at 1:00 pm. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch is provided and
your cost is only a toonie. Turn right at The Beer Store
and proceed to the end of the street.
"The Barn Dance Show"
On Sun., April 13, 2008 the Kirkton Agricultural
Society is presenting a "Barn Dance Show" at the
Kirkton Community Centre (based on a Barn Dance
Show years ago on CKNX radio.) The concert will be
from 2 - 4 p.m. featuring the Barn Dance Show Band
and special guests. Tickets are available at Wayne
Otterbein's Barber Shop in Exeter or the Kirkton
Market in Kirkton.
Brochure swap
Ontario West Coast Huron County is proud to host the
19th Tourist Event and Brochure Swap at The Zurich
Arena and Community Centre at Zurich on Wed., April
16. Tourism development is essential to its growth and
survival of the Huron County economy. It represents a
significant economic generator, along with agriculture
and manufacturing. The event will be open to the pub-
lic from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Please plan to attend to see
what the area has to offer.
The Tri -County Senior Games
District 29 (Huron, Perth and Middlesex) in the 20th
year are open for registration in the following games;
solo, crokinole, bid euchre, duplicate bridge, ten pin
bowling, scrabble, cribbage, five pin bowling, pepper,
carpet bowling, shuffleboard, golf, walking, triathlon,
swimming, slo-pitch, lawn bowling, euchre. The
Annual Awards Banquet will be at the Exeter Legion.
For more information, contact Don Overholt at 235-
1807. Pick up a registration form at The Municipality
of South Huron office.
Note: The games committee is urgently in need of
folks in the age 55 group and they don't have to be
retired. People who win their event go to London -
University of Western Ontario on August 12 - 14 to
participate provincially.
Partners in Learning:
Spring into action! Our winter session of Partners in
Learning has come to an end and it's time to sign up
for spring courses!
The spring session will be held on five Wednesdays,
commencing April 16. Course # 1 is Socrates Cafe in
the morning from 10 a.m. until noon. Course # 2 will
be from 2 - 4 p.m. and is a "Pot Pori of five lectures!"
These include "Capturing Dream Memories" (Puck
Merkies), "Great Summer Reading" (Mary Wolfe),
"African -Canadian Quilting Traditions" (Virginia
Travers), "A Walk through Maple Grove Woods" (Ian
Jean) and an "Introduction to Painting" (Artists:
Landry, Marie, Richman.)
Brochures are available at the Grand Bend Post
Office and library. The cost is only $20 for one course
or two for $30! For more information about the
lessons or to register, telephone 238-5335 or 238-2237
or 238-6927.
Other dates to mark on your calendar are the
"Members' Pot Luck" on May 14 at 6 p.m. at the
Southcott Pines Clubhouse, and the "Open House - Fall
Program" on Sept. 10.
ProblemGambling.ca
ProblemGambling.ca is Ontario's new bilingual online
destination for information and resources on gambling and
problem gambling, supported by the Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health (CAMH.) ProblemGambling.ca has a lot
of information about gambling, including helpful tools for
people experiencing problems with gambling and
resources for families and concerned others.
Visit and explore ProblemGambling.ca to discover the
ways in which it works for you. The site offers: Material
including tips on how to keep your gambling safe, a quiz to
evaluate your gambling, a self-help workbook and more
Information about counseling and getting help
For more information about counseling contact us toll-
free in Ontario 1-888-647-4414 or visit www.problemgam-
bling. ca
Blessed Canada