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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-06-04, Page 5Wednesday, June 4, 2008 Times—Advocate 5 Opinion Forum News I OYEARS AGO May 27, 1998 - Tara Westman of Granton and the Medway High School archery team won a silver medal in the OFSS archery competition in Toronto. Peter Hewerdine is set to cash in on what he feels will be a revolution in the energy business come the year 2000. He owns Windworks and Solar Ltd., a one-year business that deals in wind generation and turbines and solar panels. Located on Moorseville Drive, north of Lucan. Hewerdine's home and business base is a model of what wind power can do. 20YEARS AGO May 31, 1988 - A high number of Honour stu- dents featured Thursday's 20th graduation exercis- es at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology. Principal Bill Allen said he was pleased that 39 of the 85 graduating students achieved marks of at least 75 percent average in the last two terms to reach the honours status. At Friday's formal dance at SHDHS, students of the year were named. They are Leigh Soldan and Clark Adams. 3OYEARS AGO June 1, 1978 - A lull in altercations at the Fleck Manufacturing plant picket line ended this week when United Auto Workers and OPP officers engaged in several forays at Huron Park. At its latest meeting Stephen Township council authorized their solicitors to take the necessary legal steps to stop strikers from blocking the roadways and hindering traffic to other industries and Centralia College. Two girls working as Candy Stripe volunteers have completed 200 hours. They are Brenda Pepper and Susan Chapman. 45YEARS AGO June 2, 1963 - After a patient wait for hot weath- er, crowds lined the beach at Grand Bend Sunday to take advantage of the bright sun and 80 -plus tem- peratures. Councillor Ralph Bailey is Exeter's new deputy - reeve. His seat as councillor will be filled by Derry Boyle. Eight babies, all boys, were born at South Huron Hospital in just over 24 hours last week. Jens Gravlev won a prize for a junior exhibit at the SHDHS science fair. He demonstrated photo electric control. The first class to be taught at the new Precious Blood School recently received their first Communion at St. Peter's Church, Sunday. They were instructed by Father James Kelly and principal Mrs. C. Mittelholtz. 50YEARS AGO June 3, 1958 - Hensall council authorized the creation of more parking spaces near the business section at its meeting Monday night. The lot at the back of the town hall will be gravelled for cars. Arthur B. Idle , principal of Exeter Public School was elected president of the Huron Local of the Ontario Public Men's Teachers Federation at the annual meeting in Hensall, Wednesday evening. Honourable William Nickle, Ontario Minister of Planning and Development officially opened the John A. Morrison Dam Wednesday afternoon. Next week is "Hi Neighbour" in Exeter stores. They will be stressing friendliness and appreciation as well as special values. Other features include a free street dance and band concerts. 60YEARS AGO June 2, 1948 - H.L. Sturgis was elected president of the Exeter Lions Club for 1948-49. Aviation's newest and greatest discovery, jet com- pulsion, will be on display Saturday at RCAF Centralia. Eric Heywood and his war bride Terry, arrived in Exeter the beginning of the week. For nearly a year, Eric has been stationed in Ireland. Ted Pooley recently shipped 150 turkey eggs by air to England. They arrived in perfect condition. 60YEARS AGO May 27, 1948 - The reports for the University of Western Ontario were published last week. Students from this area are Melville F. Gladman, BA degree and second class honours in History and Political Science; Miss Margaret Stang, first class honours in General science and Miss Jean Walker, degrees in English, History and French. ROSS HAUGH BACK IN TIME Seniors' Perspective By Jim Bearss Adult Activities Co-ordinator Bus trip June 17 Enjoy theatre in the country at the picture - perfect Walter's Family Estate, and enjoy a deli- cious country dinner, followed by live music performance, in a 185 year old wooden beamed barn theatre Classic Country Spectacular. It fea- tures great country music, laughter, and charm, roast beef buffet 12:30 p.m. Show 1:30 p.m. Coach bus, meal, and theatre, book early as we must know about meals and seating. Contact Harry Hardy, Box 249, Lucan, On. NOM 2J0 Ph: 227-4887 or 227-0444, E-mail harry@cruis- eselloffs.com Pickups at Lucan Arena, or Exeter Legion. Yard sale Legion yard sale on June 14! Here is a chance for you to get rid of your unwanted slightly used goodies. Bring your stuff in on Fri., June 13 to the legion. Seniors often target of internet fraud Whether it's a rich African cocoa company offering you money, or a bank — if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is a message Project STOP, a Seniors Offering Support (SOS) program, along with the OPP and Crime Stoppers try to get across to the many seniors in Ontario. "Educating seniors so they can teach each other," is how Maryanne Wilfred, program coordinator with SOS describes it. OPP Constable Keith Robb explains to seniors about E - Crimes (Internet Crimes), identity theft and fraud. Constable Robb says there are many ways criminals get a person's personal identification. According to Mr. Robb, identity theft is the most com- mon crime in North America. These thieves can be any- where — restaurants, house and business cleaners, con- tractors and even bank machines. "Only go to bona fide `financial institutions' bank machines," said Robb. Anyone can buy these machines (ATMs)." If you get rid of an old computer, wipe the hard drive clean. This is to prevent the next owner of the com- puter from using an unsuspecting victim's identification. "Just because you delete doesn't mean it goes away. People should be wary of emails and people making phone calls asking for donations. They may not be who they seem to be. The police will never call you and ask for donations. Project STOP is funded by the Provincial Ministry of Community Safety and Correction Services. The group goes to various sites in the area spreading the gospel of being wary of anyone asking for money or information. More importantly, the group tries to inform people of ways to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or theft. Growing old The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immedi- ately embarrassed, but I explained that it is an interest- ing question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now probably for the first time in my life, the person I have wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mir- ror (who looks like my mother!) but I don't agonize over these things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, and my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I aged, I've become kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making the bed, or for buying that cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extrava- gant. I have seen too many of my dear friends leave this world much too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m. and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those won- derful tunes of the 50 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and I will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They too will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventu- ally remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, when a child suffers? Or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and under- standing and compassion. A heart never broken is pris- tine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here. I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I will eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it!) Cargill Area news Washing clothes recipe "Never thought of a washer" in this light before...what a blessing! `Washing clothes recipe' — imagine having a recipe for this! Years ago a Polish grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe: This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook with spelling errors and all. Washing clothes: build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water. Sort things; make 3 piles 1 pile white, 1 pile colored, 1 pile work britches and rags. To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boilin water. Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch. Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench and starch. Hang old rags on fence. Spread tea towels on grass. Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water. Turn tubs upside down. Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings. Paste this over your washer and dryer. Next time you think things are bleak, read it again, kiss that washer and dryer, and give thanks. First thing each morning you should hug your washer and dryer, also your toilet — these two holers used to get very cold. Cargill Area News Marital shorthand After you've been married for awhile you develop a way of communicating that does not require language. All that it takes is a look or even a subtle change in body language and your partner knows immediately what's being communicated. For the inexperienced, here are some examples of marriage shorthand: If your wife looks at you, you've done something wrong. If your wife smiles at you, she's done something wrong. If your wife raises an eyebrow, reverse your position immediately. If your wife raises a glass, cancel your evening appoint- ments. If your wife raises a firearm, get creative. Red Green Giggles and chuckles And as the late Jackie Gleason liked to say, away we go... My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't. I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it. I used to have a handle on life but it broke. Don't take life too seriously. No one gets out alive. Nyquil, the stuffy, sneezy, why -the -heck is the room - spinning medicine. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps. Being over the hill is much better than being under it. Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted when I grew up. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless dead. Ham and eggs...A days work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig. The trouble with life is there is no background music. And Rodney Dangerfield; Last year my birthday cake looked like a prairie fire. My problem is that I appeal to everyone that can do me absolutely no good. My wife made me join a bridge club. I jump off next Tuesday. You want to have laughs? Do what I do. When I go through a toll booth I keep going. I tell the guy the car behind me is paying for two! Jim Be arss Letters to the Editor The Times -Advocate welcomes letters to the editor as a forum for open discussion of local issues, con- cerns, complaint, and kudos. By mail: P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S6 By fax: 519-235-0766 By e-mail: editor@southhuron.com Please include your name and address. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Times -Advocate reserves the right to edit letters for brevity.