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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-10-26, Page 2Time to leave the Great One alo e Although it took place since the publica- tion of the last Huon Expositor, it seems like ages since the hyped up return of now Los Angeles King Wayne Gretzky, to the Nor- thlands Coliseum in Edmonton. Wasn't that an over publicized event? Granted Wayne Gretzky may in fact, be .one of the greatest hockey players his sport hasever known, I think we're blowing his importance to the game a little out of pro- portion. I mean, the fact he failed to lead his Los Angeles Subjects (according to the press there's only one King on that team) to a victory against the team that traded him, proves the man is not an unstoppable, in- fallible, hockey machine. So, let's give him a break. Was the return of Wayne Gretzky to Northlands Coliseum so momentous an occasion, 'it warranted blanket coverage by the media? Did we really expect the occasion would be anything but an emotional time for Number 99 and his former teammates on the Edmon- ton Oilers? And, what about the others af- fected by the same trade?, or by other trades, for that matter? As far as I'm concerned a hockey game, which should have had the same importance as any played during regular season action, was turned into a sideshow - by media, and SWEATSOCKS by Heather Mctlwrai h by hockey personnel themselves. Although I've never been an avid fan of Harold Ballard, I've always admired the way he's stood by his principles and beliefs, no mat- ter what the public response. That's way I was a little disappointed when Ballard rescheduled his own team's hockey game, so that Gretzky could have all the limelight. I mean, did Gretzky need it?, and did he even want it? Unfortunately though, we decided he did, and the result, in my opinion, was a poor showing by the Great One, during the match up against Edmonton, and a game that reek- ed of speculation about how `Gretz' must be feeling at every given moment of every given play. It was all rather sickening. I don't know how `Gretz' was feeling. But I do know how I feel, and much as my loyalties lie with other hockey heros, I do feel sorry for Wayne Gretzky - sorry that he has not been able to make the same choices about his career and person tie l.at so many of us are able to make, without criticism. Obviously his decision to move to Los Angeles was 'one he didn't make over- night, and one he didn't make without difficulty. Undeniably Gretzky's wife planned a ma- jor part in his ultimate decision - whether it was conscious or not. But, then shouldn't all husbands and wives figure prominently in each other's lives. Yes, Canadians were upset by the Gretzky trade, and probably moreso because he went to a United States based team. But maybe it's time that we left the Great One alone, and let him enjoy the same privileges of family, home and life, that we do. Who knows, maybe if he didn't have to constantly oblige the public with a scientific breakdown of his emotions, old Number 99 would be able to concentrate his energies on performing better on the ice. Let's be safe out there Safety measures for children take on added importance during Hallo- ween, when, in their excitement, trick -or treaters are more apt to forget to obey the basic safety rules. In order to ensure children return home safely from a night of trick -or - treating, parents should remind them of the basic pedestrian rules. Walk on sidewalks, not on streets. Cross only at the corner and look all ways before crossing. Walk, never run, across streets. Do not run out between parked cars, and do not zig-zag across the street going from door to door. Go up one side of the street, cross at the intersec- tion, then go down the other side. Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, if there are no sidewalks. Avoid any horseply, pushing or shoving when walking close to street traffic. Avoid using bicycles if costumes can get caught in the spokes. If bikes are used, follow all appropriate traffic rules, and make sure your bike's lighting system is working properly. HOMEOWNERS Homeowners planning to participate in trick -or -treat activities, should also be considerate of their safety. Keep an outside light on so it's easy to see stairs and steps. Pick up tools, sprinklers, trash cans or other objects from the yard so children won't trip over them. Keep family pets away from the front door so they won't frighten children. People dressed in strange costumes may also scare or irritate animals. Wrap treats if they are loose or homemade. On homemade edibles, add your name to the package so parents will know where it came from. Halloween is a one-night affair. Discourage any visits before or after the actual or community -designated date. TRICK -OR -TREATERS Children themselves should be encouraged to: Stop only at houses and apartment buildings that are well -lit and -or display that they are participating in trick -or -treat activities. Avoid darkened houses. Visit only familiar neighborhoods. Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision. Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain itself can present tripping hazards. • MOTORISTS With the traditional date of Halloween falling on a Monday, local com- munity festivities may vary and motorists are warned to expect the costum- ed celebrants all weekend. They should follow these safety tips: Slow down in residential areas. Watch out for children darting out from between parked cars. Watch carefully when backing out of driveways. At twilight, or later in the evening, watch for children walking down the road, on the shoulders, or the median. If you're driving children to homes of special friends or relations, make sure they fasten their safety belts. Be sure they get out of the car on the curb side. Help our youngsters to enjoy Halloween - safely. LETTERS TO THE ED' What's a whale worth today ? What's a whale retail for these days? I -suppose a lot of people are asking themselves just how much a whale is worth, in light of the great effort scientists are go- ing to in order to save two California grey whales, who are trapped by ice in Alaska. These scientists have used chainsaws to try and cut ice, helicopter carried gizmos to try and smash holes in the ice from above, are looking for fissures which can be dynamited and used strawberry Kool- Aid (everybody's favorite kind) to highlight fissures in the ice which can be used to search for weak points in the ice. Two Soviet ice breakers have been called in to try and open a channel for the strand- ed whales (must have somthing to do with the new soviet policy of openness), and if all this fails the scientists are looking at MY TWO BITS by Neil Corbett ways of airlifting the whales to freedom. All of this has to add up to some big bucks, and it king of makes you wonder how many California grey whales there are left in the world if such troubles are taken over the saving of two of them. But I'd bet there aren't a lot of grey whales (or any type of whales) around anymore, and I'd say it was worth the trou- ble if there's even a chance the whales will be saved. Especially when mankind is the single factor most responsible for the depletion of their population. Someday in the not too distant future there may be only two grey whales left on the planet, but efforts to save two now will at least forstall that day as long as possi- ble. And it makes people realize that wildlife conservation is taken seriously, and by more nations than just western ones. So even though a whale may not be worth much in terms of dollars, this whale - saving operation is O.K. in my books, even though the only reward the rescuers will likely get is a "like, thanx dude," from a California grey whale. Poppy funds The the Editor: For many years the people of Seaforth and District have been most generous on contributing to the annual poppy campaign of the Branch 156 of the Royal Canadian Legion. For more than 50 years the Legion has been able to provide assistance to needy Veterans and their dependants as a result of the cooperation of the area people. In 1987 the receipts of $3,620.46 were slightly more than the expenditures which totalled $3,610.84. Funds which the public contribute are held in trust in a separate account and do not form any part of Branch finances. The Poppy trust funds are reserves from a good cause which emergency assistance can be given to needy Veterans, their dependants and the children of deceased ex -servicemen. Monies are also donated to Burseries, Charitable Foundation and Parkwood Hospital. We trust the citizens of Seaforth and area will continue to lend their usual strong sup- port to the local Legion's 1988 Poppy Cam- paign which gets underway the week preceeding Remembrance Day, November 11. Your generous donation will be most appreciated. Yous Truly, Bill Wilbee Poppy Chairman, Seaforth Branch 156, Royal Canadian Legion. The HUM be *woolr to c!darif right to edit letters. Letters eon be dripped elfti to: Drillers hunt for oil 50 years ago OCTOBER 26,1888 One day last week, while threshing on the farm of Mr. A. McKague, Mr. John Porter in putting on a belt got his hand caught, draw- ing it around the pulley and breaking the middle finger on the right hand. What came near being a serious fire hap- pened on the evening of the ninth in the residence of Mr. John Hutton. Some difficul- ty was experienced in locating the fire which was shut up in the parlor, and before it was put out, the carpets and furniture were considerably damaged. Mrs. George Nott, of the London Road, Tuckersmith, won over one hundred dollars in prizes at the various fall shows, this season. If it were not for Mrs. Nott and a few others, many of the departinents would be very light. The Star Theatre Company will appear in Cardo's Hall every evening next week. It is said the company is good and the plays are new but a whole week is a good long siege for a town the size of Seaforth. Mr. John Leonhardt, the well known pig breeder of McKillop, won prizes at several shows this season amounting to about $175. OCTOBER 31,1913 Harvey McClymont, little son of Mr. James McClymont, who underwent a serious operation in the London hospital some weeks ago, is doing nicely. The opera- tion was very successful and he is recover- ing rapidly which is very gratifying to his friends. Miss Donley and Miss Eva Sparling have resigned their positions as teachers at the Manley school. Miss Lizzie Holland will teach the senior room. Miss Holland has been a successful teacher and we hope she will be in No. 8. George Stevens, of McKillop, near Lead - bury, has purchased the 50 acre farm owned by John Riley, of the ninth concessiim of IN THE YEARS AGONE from the Archiv Hulled, for the sum of $2,900. Mr. Alexander McLauchlin, of the East gravel road, Morris, has sold his prize heavy draft team to Mr. Allan, horse dealer of Seaforth for $500. This is the third sale,of matched teams by Mr. McLauchlin in a few years at top notch prices. On Thursday last the friend of Mr. and Mrs. Con. Eckart, formerly of Manley , at- tended their silver wedding anniversary at their home in Seaforth and all had a very en- joyable time. Their many friends here sincerely hope Mr. and Mrs. Eckart will en- joy health and strength for many more years. OCTOBER 28,1938 Work of drilling for oil or gas on the farm of Howard Trewartha, in Hullet, is under way with G.F. Gregory, veteran Petrolia driller, in charge. The drilling is being done by the Huron & Bruce Oil Co. Cardno's Hall was filled to capacity Fri- day evening when the Junior Women's In- stitute was host to 76 tables at euchre. Following the games, a delightful lunch was served and dancing concluded the evening. The Seaforth Lions Club Park and Swim- ming Pool, now in its 15th year, is annually attracting unusual attention from the people of this conununity and neighboring towns. As facilities improve, so do maintenance costs, and it is for expenditures such as this that the Club is appealing to you at this time. An excellent program of music was presented by the Stratford Salvation Army Band in Northside United Church on Sunday evening last, at the close of the regular service. A pleasing feature of the birthday party held in the Anglican Church on Friday last was the presentation of a life membership certificate and pin to Mrs. William Deem in recognition of her faithful work in the society. NOVEMBER L1962 Seaforth firemen were called out att 11 o'clock Hallowe'en night to extinguish a blazing heap of tires and straw at the in- tersecton of Main and Goderich Streets. Damage was heavy in a one -vehicle crash south of Kippen Thursday evening. Nicholas Van Vugt of Seaforth suffered several in- juries when the truck which he was driving left the road and crashed into two large trees near the Kippen bridge. Elliott's Restaurant reopened this week following completion of a remodelling pro- gram that began on Thanksgiving. Snow and wet weather have brought all work to a standstill. There is a lot of plowing yet to be done, as well as harvesting of corn, turnips and sugar beets. Hopper Drillers are at present drilling a well on Mr. Elmer Shade's property for the Township of Tuckersmith, in order to supply water to homes in the south end of the village. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Hood and Joyce and Mr. Lloyd Thomson attended the Saldivar- Dolmage wedding Saturday at Cavan United Church, Winthrop 1