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The Huron Expositor, 1986-10-08, Page 2EIZOsitor �o ''- SINCE 1860, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1985 Incorporating Brussels Post 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, Dianne McGrath, Lois McLlwam, Bob McMillan, Cathy Malady and Patrick Raffia, Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Community Newspaper Association Ontario Press Council 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, OCTOBER 8, 1986 Second class mall registration Number 0696 Think positive work together Amid Weak excuses for special weeks A colleague of mine, with whom 1 attended ' college (way back when) has remarked to me on several occasions there is one thing about weekly journalism that the old institution never prepared us for. This oversight, was the amazing proliferation of "Weeks" with which we would have to deal, once on the job.. I am not talking about just your regular weeks, which occasionally seem to contain six Mondays and a Tuesday. No, I'm referring to the many weeks and days set aside to honoror celebrate some group, organization, theme or inanimate object. While many of these weeks can be widely ignored by the media, as few people know of their existence, there are others which require journalists everywhere to scramble around for at least a story or two and some pictures to commemorate them. This week, for instance, is not merely the second week in October, as some lazy calendar -makers would have you believe. It is both Fire Prevention W eek and Private Property W eek, How does one observe such a doubly auspicious occasion?. I guess we should all make that extra effort to insure that our private property does not catch on fire? Most of us are familiar with the various months or weeks designated for various health organizations to campaign. February, for instance, is Heart Month; while Novem- ber is also known as National Diabetes Month. This is all well and good, as it gives worthwhile organizations like the Heart Foundation a chance to do some high-profile fundraising to finance their important work. Reaction to the Main Street Canada program as set out for the town of Seaforth has been lukewarm at best. While many merchants are genuinely in favor of supporting a program, both financially and bodily, which proposes to revitalize the economic situation of downtown areas, while preserving the historic character of the town, others are riot. But it is not just the merchants who feel that way. The general consensus on the street is that the entire project is just a huge waste of money. Merchants and residents feel the downtown core is operating Just. fine and are against any kind of change, despite the fact, it brings with It a promise of better times to come. Some feel by asking merchants to preserve the historic character of the town. Main Street Canada is advocating a return to the way things were. Others feel the BIA could have put a similar program in place for less money, and feel by hiring an outsider to head the project, the business sense of local merchants Is being questioned - and Insulted. In fact, what Main Street Canada advocates is making better use of the resources the town has. It advocates the business community working jointly towards one common end, Instead of everyone going off in separate directions. • It has been obvious from the less than enthusiastic response by local businesses to past BIA special promotions that someone who would work to this end has been needed for a long time In Seaforth. Even the different hours and days of operation each store maintains Indicates that there Is no desire by Main Street merchants to work in conjunction with their neighbors. Perhaps the BiA could have put such a program In place, but one would have to question whether or not that program would have succeeded where the others It has Initiated have failed. Perhaps now, once the businesses are tied to a three-year financial commitment they might be more willing to lend an ear and hear just what it Is this program has to offer Instead of giving In to complacency. The thoughts should be positive not negative now that the program is in effect — in place. Main Street Canada does not want Seaforth to return to its past. it wants merely to capture the good neighbor approach to the business of that day, combine It with today's business sense and house it all In a business district which speaks for itself. — H.M. SWEATSOCKS FROM THIS ANGLE by Patrick Raftis However, if one made an attempt to observe all the special occasions that have been dedicated, for just say, the month of November-- you would be a very busy person indeed, Aviation History Month, Good Nutrition Month, National Farm -City Week, Adoption Week and National Family Week, are all going on, in the space of these 30 short days. That's not even counting Remem- brance Day, which is observed on a slightly larger scale than most of these other occasions. Festivities in July are even more unusual. Are you aware that July is National Hot Dog month -- a month when people everywhere should pay tribute to the ever -popular tube steak? Perhaps one should take a hot dog to lunch. Just in case you're interested in a more balanced type of meal, July is also National Peach Month, and July 15 is National Ice Cream Day. July 20, in case you're interested, is something called Moon Day. Should one spend the day contemplating the mysteries of the glowing globe in the sky, or should we simply drop our collective drawers and hang one? Tough decision. August is another month when we should all eaf well, being both Sandwich Month and Salad Month. If you're looking for a day to go out and treat yourself to salad and sandwich- es during August, why not try the fourth -- it's Coast Guard Day. I'm sure the boys on the boats would appreciate it. How about October? What should we be doing this month? Well, in addition to the aforementioned occasions, this is Pork Month, National Cosmetology Month, Fish and Seafood Month, Vocational Services Month, National Restaurant -Hospitality Month and National Popcorn Month. Maybe we could take Orville Redenbauker to a lunch of, pork and seafood at a restaurant somewhere. Are there cards for these occasions? Can one actually send greetings of Happy International Women's Day (when, I'd like to know is international Men's Day); Merry Navy Day, that sort of thing? I'd love to list 'for you, all of the various occasions that fall between New Years and foxing Day, but I just dop't have the time. After all, I have only two more days, to prepare myself for the fun and frivolity, that is sure to take place on October 9, better known as Leif Erickson Day. See you at the parade. STORYTELLER — Mitchell area school teacher Nancy Kraemer, Library. Mre. Kraemer used a variety of props to bring het eftlser etory photo to was the guest storyteller last Saturday, at the Soaforth Public tllo for trio local youngsters. by Heather Mcllwraith Mom was disappointed by Blue Jay failure 1 must admit 1 held out high hopes far the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the slow start to their season and the gargantuous lead the Boston Red Sox took in the American I Pogue East I never had any doubts they would catch up - until the BoSox clinched the league title. Then like Blue Jays everywhere 1 content- ed myself in the knowledge that at least the Jays would finish second. But when that failed to happen and the Jays slipped into third. then finally fourth position, life got a trifle unbearable. But i reckoned there really was no point in "crying over spilt milk." And despite the fact I couldn't impress upon certain Detroit Tiger fans that the battle had come down to the final game of the season, I decided to dismiss the entire episode from my mind. Easier said than done. I can't help but wonder how a certain Blue Jay fan 1 know is reacting to the setback. Somehow 1 can't imagine my mother taking the news lightly. Mymotherhas surprised me a lot in recent years. As T remember from my childhood she was always quite active in individual sporting pursuits like swimming, tennis and badrnin- ton, but 1 don't eve recall- her taking any interest in any team sport - even though our lives revolved around therm. • In fact mom even refused to attend dad's genies, saying she got too worked up over the sport and hated being on the outside looking in and seeing his frustratioris with thewayy'the game was gomgr or with himself, It was the same she said with out games, although she went when she ;could, Istill don't know .the genies o knew too whether or not in those daysshe, mach about the, Way _ _peiated. I vaguely remember her saying Once that she just dapped when everyone else era ped aid • hoped she was da in "for the right tea&:. o oday however. she's alleost a different womanNot only does she attend my dad's games, but her interest, in the sport of baseball hes graduated ter the majo. Leagues. Clock watching is confusing �� HERE'S THE BEEF In a couple of weeks my kitchen clock will be back at the right time. It has been an hour out since April. For some people that mlgbt be a tad confusing, but for me...well it's probably the most accurate dock to the house. i think there are six clocks at my place and at any given time they're at any given time. Time is a compulsion for some people. Clock watchers and watch gazers are products of our over organized lives. From the minute the alarm goes off at 7 :45 (it used to be a quarter to eight B.D. before digital), the time is the ruling element of their lives. Every hour of the day is filled with worktimes, breaktirnes, mealtimes, playtimes and rest - times.. Without their watches these people wouldn't know what to do with themselves and would end up in front of the TV eventually learning to tell the time by the program on the tube. It s amazing how a simple face with 12 numbers and 2 hands can govern the lives of so many. Clocks can reduce grown men to quivering masses of apologies and push anent women to tears of frustration. The Toronto to see the hands on the clock can produce groans of T Now when we travel to orxr despair or gasps of relief. The time of day is Jays in person mom is actually more caught p up in the actions of the players on the field, often the major factor in making decisions. than those of $.J. Bird. Daily and weekly time slots are booked in than the actual time—we made it. Almost And when it is impossible forherto be right advance eliminating many spontaneous pas -everyone of us have hit the first shot of a there at Exhibition stadium mom is right times. Clock watchers are often well tounarilent in our street shoes and waved to there in front of the television set - or if that organized, meticulous people, who are never our foursome already on the first green. The too is improbable has a radio turned into the late. I do not fit into this category by any boys were always late for supper, late for g siretf3h of the imagination. school and it wasn't unusual to see them When I come home unexpectedly, I find On the other hand there are people who dossing the garbage truck down the street.... her watching the game, even though no one have never owned a watch or set an alarm• late again. When everyone else is on else is home, and there is also a good movie Time is irrelevant. They eat when they're Standard Tune or Daylight Saving Time Qe,;,o t;hungry, drink when they're dry and are were on DT or Doig Tinre. It's the opposite of totallyoblivious to the Inc Tapping, weight Newtietime...they'rean vg hour early, we're by Carolanne Doig 1 Now I come from a family where being late is a rather common occurrence, and that is an understatement as many of you are aware, Including our editor. However 1 believe that being late continuously is no fault of my own. Nor is it caused by being slack, unorganized or lazy. Heavens no. It is a genetic disorder handed down from generation to generation. My grandfather was always late, my father is always late and my generation is merely living up to standards set after years of genetically and environmentally -caused tar- diness. ar diness. 1 was never meant to be on time, I, along with all members of the family can tell numerous tales about missed appointments, missed planes, and heaven forbid the worst of all missed tee -off times. We have leaned to y of our dearese t frieth nds havis e 8 adapted te and o o r timing. When my sister was married years ago we told Dad the wedding was an hour earlier When she phones ire I can hear the game in the bacicgrouand and often have to compete totter attention, since she insists on extolling the virtues of her "wonderful • Jays", or that "cute Barfield." She's constantly asking if we titer children) saw that great titch, the ??th homerun, or the super double play. if we haven't we hear about it with such vivacity we feel we've actually been at the game. My dad, who used to be the relayer of baseball -related replays and -or stories has taken a backseat tonmom'senthusiasm for the game and her Jays. She talks about thein as though she knows them all personally and I think dad himself is quite amused at her al'" ' most childish excitement with the game. But it's not just her enthusiasm for' the game which surprises me. My Monter, who for so long remained aloof from the game', has a knowledge of the games most memorable monientsand hergrip of the stats of then and now is amazing So amazing, in fact, that"if I ever needed t0 know an intimate detailof the game 1 could be almost assured of getting the answer from mom, as I could be front_ dad. Maybe she's just been pulling the wool' aver our'eyea all these" years: Still 1 knowp�' my mother was really keyed -up Tot another American League East win for her JAYS, and .,11 lean say is- next year mom we'll go the entire route, it• shiftig nail biting, clock watchers they a II, blur late. constanhly keep waiting. For them 7:45 does I know we drive people crazy. W e drive not exist. Around 8 is close enough with each other crazy. We drive ourselves crazy. neither a.m: or p.m. being specified. Being try R latest estate of mind and for many being late �; �m to stay well n scheddule. I'ma a ays is "state of the art." Reader says program compounds problem Tate for work as most golfers can attest. I may stay late but it takes a week of staying tate to cancel out two mornings of coming -in late. I blame Murphy for many of the times that I have kept people waiting and waiting and waiting One boyfriend bought me a watch, it didn't help and the boyfriend eventually left. The watch still works and l'm still late. On the brighter side if people were all on time not only would life he boring but the economy would suffer. Waiting rooms would be obsolete. All the furniture, carpeting, stereosystems, and soft lighting designed to • make your wait pleasant would be unneces- sary. Who would read all the old copies of Time and National Geographic? If trains were on time you wouldn't need stations with lounges, bars, washrooms and stores. It would be "get the ticket and go." Many little stores at travel terminals make their living eft people like me who miss the bus, and then have to buy a beer, a burger and a book to fritter away the time because by golly now I'm early. Of the many tales about time that are told over and over around the clubhouse my favorite is a true story about a fellow from town who worked at Boshart's furniture factory. This fellow was late• every single morning, not because he was lazing in bed. but bemuse he was up early doing other chores and working in his garden. He was a good worker but he could never seem to get to the factory on time. Finally one morning the foreman met him at the door and demanded, "Do you know what time we start work around here?" "Gosh no." was the reply, "You're always going at it when I get here." May 1 reply to' `Bankrupt Farmers Offered Help" in your October 1, 1986 publication? The Canadian Mural Transition Program (CRTP) does net help but compounds the fanners financial difficulties, as 'understand a theprograiii, given me by Reference Canada. 1 see the following as the pitfalls of th'e'$46 million dollar C11.TP. 1, It does not offer a satisfactory settlement of the fatrner's legally contracted debts. 2. It does not protect the farmers' preperty from seizure, and power of sale, at fireside prices. . 3, It presumably will retrain, re -employe and relocate the farm family into a stratig enviroumont. 4. It Oontinuet the farmer's vulnerability to his debtors. He Will have his earnings debts,ganisheed to satisfy the balance of his Tann Other debts that were net firSale t baric ton, Aird. O THE EDITOR 5. If the farmer is lucky to find einployrnent, after retraining no employer willwant hitt, because of his debt pro flems. 6. The exfarmer will nolo have to bankruptcy,, if he can afford it. 7. The CRTP elddds to the fact the farmer will be given money to set up in a new business. That does not prevent his old creditors from grabbing any new assets he may acquire. 8. If the farmer is a bankrupt, he will not likely be able to get credit CO sustain his new business, until ht becomes viable. 9, The Merrier that accepts thatpprOgram, as it now stands; is an early candidate for skid row, at a very heavy 'cost to the taxpayer, and a much.heavier penalty to Canada. Madam Editor, from what 1 have perceived from so called Farm Aid programs, imple- niented, in the name of poor farmers, but designed by bankers, for banks, I can only concludepoliticians our at Ottawa and Queen's Park are working for the 1,1V1 F'• (International Mammon Flindl with greater enthusiasm than they are for our farmers, As Eddy Shack might have said, "They, are doing it to us!" Unless Canadians wake u'p, and smell the dung, we are all going td v much regret passingthis era onto our children. Thank You, for the 'i'hvalu'aomasbieEspace,„Ryan Madam Editor. •