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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1985-12-04, Page 2dHpuron . ,x ositor SINCE 1860, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1985 Incorporating Brussels Pot 10 Main Street 527-0240 Published in SEAFORTH, ONTARIO Every Wednesday morning ED BYRSKI, General Manager HEATHER McILWRAITH, Editor The Expositor is brought to you each week by the .efforts of: Pat Armes, Bessie Broome, Marlene Charters, Joan Guichelaar, Anne Hull, Joanne Jewitt, Stephanie Levesque, Dianne McGrath, Lois McLiwam, Bob McMillan, Cathy Melady and Patrick Raftis. Member, Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Community Newspaper Association Ontario PressCouncil Commonwealth Press Union International Press Institute Subscription rates: . Canada $20.00 a year (in advance) Outside Canada $60.00 a year (In advance) Single Copies - 50 cents each SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1985 . Second class mail registration Number 0696 Loss of heart When people abandon a project due to loss of enthusiasm, it's disappointing, but not a disaster.. If the interest is gone, it's gone and there is no sense dragging things on. It is sad, however, when participants retain their enthusiasm, but are forced to abandon the project due to loss of heart. The Seaforth and District Community Centres Booster Club is one group that has obviously lost heart or their project, despite the fine work they were doing. As stated in their I•etter to the editor in the November 27 Expositor, the group plans to fold as of December 31. "We've held two annual meetings in the past with no success in getting the number of new people we needed to keep things running smoothly. We have sent out letters and made calls but to no avail," said the letter signed by seven members of the group. These do not sound like the words of an organization that is ready to call it quits, but one that sees no practical alternative. • The Booster Club's accomplishments since formation have been considerable. A new stage, extra glass around the ice surface, floor mats, tables and chairs, a meat slicer, food processor, microwave and extra air conditioning unit are all valuable contributions purchased with funds raised by the club. Although the community centre is a modern well-equipped building already, there is always something new that could be added to improve the facility, Any such new additions will now have to be made at increased cost to the taxpayers of the area. As with many volunteer organizations, the Booster Club's main difficulty seems to be in mustering the manpower to run their various fund-raising functions. This cannot be attributed to anything so simple as a lack of community spirit. Seaforth area residents gave so freely to the fund for the construction of the community centre itself, the structure was practically paid for on completion. Citizens here seem much quicker to spend money, than to spend time, in the cause of community betterment. Volunteer work can seem thankless and time-consuming when the lead Is carried by too few workers, but can be a rewarding experience when shared by a large community. Perhaps it is not too late for a last-minute influx of volunteers to revitalize an organization well worth saving. — P.R. Write to Santa The Huron Expositor, as in previous years, welcomes letters to Santa Claus. Santa is an avid reader of this newspaper, and again has renewed his subscription. in an accompanying letter, he writes, "I enjoy reading The Expositor each and every week. It's one way I cart keep tabs on the children who have been good throughout the year. I especially keep an eye on the letters to Santa section." Santa says he reads every letter he receives from children requesting gifts for Christmas. And that includes letters that appear in The Expositor. Children are again asked to write to the address listed below. A "Letters to Santa" box is also located in The Expositor office. Send letters to: Santa Claus c/o The Huron Expositor, Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario HOH OHO ROAD HOCKEY — Monday's snowstorm may have made an impromptu game of road hockey. This game was found on East travelling out of town difficult, but conditions were lust perfect for William Street. Raftis photo Nicknames common in Seaforth Scenario: You are standing on the corner having a conversation with someone you. know from out of town. During your -friendly little talk you happen to mention a person's name and your pal gives you that bewildered "Who's he?" look. You then zing him with the corresponding nickname and your alien buddy responds, -Hey; I know him." Sound familiar? So many people around here are known just by their nickname and the amount of blank stares that result when you mention a given name isn't too surprising. Some have only one alias, but many are saddled with two three and even four. Call them euphemisms. pseudonyms, pet names or pen names. There is a wide and colorful array of them. i wrote a column a few years ago on the same subject but since that time, the profusion of nicknames has grown as numerous as the sands' on the seashore. So here we go. Like Hogan's Hems we have a Shultz and a Colonel, though not a Klink. Then there is a Roosty, a Hammy, a Wes and even a Nipper. How about Snoopy. Dopey, Bugsy, Chip, Sniffer, Pixley and Satch. Sort of like a new seven dwarfs without Snow White. There walks the streets a Reagan and a Bomber. They kind of fit together, don't they. If hockey is your game we can give you a Puck, Helmut, Stick and Tape. I kid you not. [----- SWEAT SOCKS by Heather Mcllwraith The Crest test "Mommy, mommy I only had one cavity" has been the advertising promise of Crest toothpaste for as long as i can remember For years as children we grew up with the notion if we brushed three times daily with this wonder product we would, like the child in the advertisement, have minimal cavities. and thus minimal pain when it came time for the annual visit to the dentist (Maybe even a smaller dental bill too' Now after all those years of taking ('rest's word for it, some bumbling bureaucrats have decided, for the sake of a few extra tax dollars, Crest just might not be a toothpaste after all. The Tariff Board is spending $50,000 for public opinion surveys that ask consumers whether or not Crest is considered a toothpaste, ora health (cosmetic) product. it seems like an awful lot of money to waste on what would appear to end up in the favor of a toothpaste. But on the slim chance Canadians would deem Crest a cosmetic. then its manufacturers would be liable to taxation in the amount of approximately $12 -million. it seems obvious to me. and probably anyone who has used Crest, or seen it advertised, Crest can be considered more a toothpaste than other products. who offer more than fluoride in the paste. and good checkups. Surely such proclaimed toothpastes as Ultrabrite, which promises sex appeal; Close-up, which promises you'll be just that if you use it; Aim, and Aquafresh which offer fresh breath and innumerable dates; and Pearl Drops, which promises a "pearly white glow" to those teeth of yours, qualify more as CORNUCOPIA by David Broome Peanut, Hambone, Onion and Scon are food for thought. There are a couple of Bucks which won't quite purchase the Spuds i know. This zoo contains a •Wolf, a Tiger, a Dog, a Badger, a Bird, a Reptile, a Spider and a Squid. Royalty abounds with a Prince, an Earl and a pair of Dukes. Moe, Mouse, Morph and Mutt for a touch of an illiteration to go with a Nugget, a Nummer, a Knobby and a Narb. There is yet another Stick, a duo of Snaps and three Reds in a pear tree. This guy is Frosty but he can't heat his home with the Furnace 1 know. If you are Hungry, how about a Wiener, a Pickle, a Fish, and another Peanut. i don't know that I would want to go through life with the handles Cabbage head, Poop, Jerky, Piggy and Stoney. Two of three Lous I know are not thin, but the third is Skinny. If eyesight poses a medical problem, Quincy is the man to see. Angry, despite the adjective, is not. it is always pleasant to have Boner around but the two Peckers I know are home right now. This Moses didn't part any seas, he just departed town. Our Columbo follows the Chicago Bears and not any bad guys. If the local. Rambo hunted this Moose. the Marshall would not be pleased I know a W imp and I Suppose. many of us do. How about a Beef. a Smokey. a Chief and a Mopey. A tour of the great outdoors and you will find a Beagle, a Cricket, a Coyote, a Squirrel and a couple of Rats. Let me color your day with a tint of Black, a touch of W hitey, a suggestion of Brownie and shade of Pink. We have a Seagull that you don't have to fret about at the beach Continued on page A16 Human rights allow celebrations cosmetics, than does Crest. the family. cavity -fighting "toothpaste." Doubtless the majority of Canadian adults will say they brush their teeth so they look good. so there are no little food particles flapping at people they happen to be talking tn, and to eliminate the dreaded bad breath. But as children they no doubt brushed their teeth because they were told to. and to eliminate the formation of cavities, which could necessitate a trip to the dentist I doubt they were even remotely interested in whether or not their teeth looked especially good. or whether or not their breath smelled "like roses" or peppermint. if you please. And surely if toothpaste is going to fall into the questionable category of health product or cosmetic? or toothpaste?. then a lot of of her products in our use and possession on a daily basis have to be questioned as well. is soap then really a soap, or a cosmetic? is Zest more appropriately a soap than say. Dove, ivory. or Caresse. all which promise soft. luxurious skin? And shampoo, is it really anything more than a beauty aid? Couldn't we all get along with the greasy look? Perhaps these items are already classified under cosmetic or health products, perhaps not, I'm not really sure. But after so many years as a toothpaste it's doubtless there can be more than greed for the tax dollars, as the basis for questioning the credibility of Crest as a toothpaste. Brushing the teeth with products like Crest is a dental health measure, with admittedly. a possible cosmetic spin-off. Ask anyone what special day is coming up soon and "Christmas wo141d roll off most tongues. Yes. we are caugh Iup in the hustle, hustle, shopping, and partying that has become synonorpous with Christmas. How- ever there is another day, a special day, that is also just around the corner. Tuesday, December 10 is Human Rights Day We are a society filled with "Special Days " Some of the special days are celebrated by the majority of people in our community µhilt. others are only of import- ance to a few people During the course of the year there are special days originating from religious, political and historical events... days like Chnstmas. Remembrance Day, Victoria Day. and Thanksgiving There is Valentine's Day. Mother's Day. Father's Day. labor Day. and many many more. Some special days take months of preparation as those who celebrate Christmas are well aware Other days are observed by services and speeches such as Remembrance Day. On Valentine's, Mother's and Father's Days it is a time to send cards, flowers. candy, or go out for dinner. On labor Day we relax at the beach, on St Patrick's we drink green beer, and on Canada Day we set off fireworks. What do wee do on Human Rights Day? It's not a time to send flowers or Happy Human Rights Day cards i doubt if there's a Human Rights Day party anywhere in town. Decem- ber 10 is a day to take time to think about and be thankful for the basic human rights we have rights we often take for granted.... rights that Ihrnugh the course of history, many people fought and died for These rights we so often forget about until we are denied them hest allowed us to develop into the people. families, and community we are Anyone who mads newspapers. listens to HERE'S THE BEEF by Carolanne Doig the radio, or watches television, is well aware of the human rights struggles currently being waged around the globe. Even though the world is ever shrinking, many of these problems. however abhorrent, seem far from the reality of our day to day lives On Human Rights Day we will continue with our regular routine However if we stop fora moment and give human rights some though we veil realize it forms the very basis of our daily existence. Just last month we had an election We had the opportunity to run for office We had the opportunity to vote for our choice of candidates. selecting people who will set policies for us dealing with many things affecting our daily lives. We had a choice There are many countries where this choice is never offered. Leaders are named. rule by force and intimidation, and the results are often corrupt and cruel. People in Seaforth were not prevented from casting a ballot because of their color, religion, or sex. Of course. you say, but it wasn't always so, and in many places around the globe. it still is not so. We send our children to school. Off they go. on foot, on hikes, on buses They are not sent home because they are black, or oriental, or Moslem. or catholic. While at work we discuss our government's problems W e joke about Tlunagate, over spending. cover-ups, and disputable decisions Comedians mimic Mulroney's raspy voice, cartoonists hunt for Clark's cum. and we shake our heads when we see the antics ongoing in the House of Commons on tele'nsaon L5 a dont get sent off to labor camps. et' dim t disappear in the night and we don't get vises from upper echelon toughs pest to keep us quiet tti' e can voice an opinion We can ante letters to the editor. phone our SI P and sign petitions Believe it or not them are twiny countries where an off color remark can not nnh change your future hut erase it Recently in our commono as in all other Canadian communities there has been much talk about the new Charter of Rights There is an increasing awareness of µomen s rights. children's rights. mmonty rights and more Before any of these groups could even begin their struggle for equal rights them had Io be the most basic of all nght> legislahnn. Human Rights The struggle tot this haus need goes on in many ,area, Item .n Canada here in Seaforth we are u ery fortunate to live in a society where the nghts rat ea en person , are respected Tuesday. December In may not hi• advertised as a day to send flowers, cants. or take someone to lunch f low ever it is a dao of thanks. a day cetehrM'ng it., aniuversar> of the Declaration of Human Rights a day that allows us to celebrate .and imrr, all the other special days throughout the year :and the ordinary days too tin Tuesd,ai December In. think about it and gici• thanks People use portentous phrases You'll possibly be wondering where and what Bill Smiley has been up to lately. No critical columns on the political scene: no sharp little vignettes on our society; not attacks on anybody or anything. Well, I haven't felt up to scratch for a while. And where in the world did "up to scratch" come from? At least .it's lasted a brig time. That's more than can be said for some of the current mumbo -jumbo. i wonder how long it will take for politicians and administrators to stop tieing that portentous phrase. "At this point in time" whenever they open a paragraph and don't know what they're going to say? All it means is, "right now." or "today". but it has a nice, melliflouous. phoney ring to it. Another one that is going to die a sure death. i sure hope, is "The bottom line." There is no such thing as a bottom line, Everyone has a bottom. and, unless you've lost both legs, at the hip, there's something below that. Even if you haven't, there's something below your feet, and something below that. until we get right down to hell. And there's probably something below that — perhaps a natural gas well -- and below that you'll find a couple of Albertans, pumping on some kind of bellows. And they have to be standing on something. So. Where's this famous bottom line? Those expressions will last as long as, "That'll be the frosty Fliday," and "All righty." And good riddance. A proper idiom in English must stand the test of time before it is accepted. After all, you can't have your cake and eat it, but half a loaf is better than none, unless you want to be up the creek without a paddle. However, I wander, as so often. What really bothers me is not that Mr. Davidson, or Williamson or whatever his name is, SUGAR AND SPICE by Bill Smiley backed into the Prime Ministership of Ontario without winning an election, or that Brian Mulroney is going to crack that massive jaw if he doesn't stop grinning for the TV cameras. Those are trivia. What I'd like to get down to is some of the more important social and sociological matters in the press that affect our daily lives. After watching the Blue Jays get their tails dipped. and then the World Series, i was faced with a question that must have an answer: How can baseball players spit so much? You've all seen them. They spit in the dugout. They spit when they come up to bat. They spit if they make it for first. The pitcher spits. The coach spits. The only one we can't see spitting is the catcher, and he's probably expectorating through his faceguard bars Where does it all come from? You and i could probably spit twice in a minute, but they spit all the time. i know they chew snuff, tobacco and gum, but that doesn't explain it. There's only so much fluid in the human body, though if you'd ever had dire rear, you wouldn't believe it. How would you like to be trying to steal second, and slip in a great gob of tobacco juice? Perhaps someone could illuminate me on this matter. And while you're at it, explain why they paw the ground continual- ly, like nervous buffalo, getting dirt in their deals, and then knocking it out. It's still the best spectator game in the world, even including cricket. Football is dull, with one gang of gangsters trying to disassemble another gang Hockey is fast. but incredibly chic, with the hooks. spearing and elbows in the nose O.K. That settles baseball. except for my questions. Let us now knit our brows over another problem It seems that women in the armed fortes want to go into combat. just as about ten per cent of the male awned forces ever do The brass is agin it I don't know why Anybody dumb enough to go into the military is obviously dumb enough to terse as cannon fodder So we have one group of women wandering down one side of the street with peace banners. and another group quick - marching down the other side with banners proclaiming. "We warms shoot somebody " i see no reason why the male members of the services should object. if the females want to fight I can just see the rude and licentious male soldiery sitting around the stove, drinking tea, and sniggering. "Won- der how the gals are doing on that night patrol?" i can just see them hooting a female out of the side hatch of an old Dakota full of paratroopers, saying. in their courtly way. "After you, ma'm The only thing that worries me is giving the ladies promotions Most of them already ad like sergeant -majors in their own homes Give them a commission. and life wouldn't be worth living for the ordinary, slovenly. lazy male so-called fighting man v