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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-10-09, Page 3BLOCK PARENTS "ARRIVE—Seaforth has become a member of the Block Parent Prograrn,There are now 30 of the window signs, such as the one Optimitt representative Peter Morris is giving Wilma McLean, in homes around town. "If it saves one child frorn embarrasdment or injury, then it's worth it," said Mrs. MacLean. . (Photo by Shoveller), Regtiler read* of this ode with our faMily pet, Siti -ohm* may have deduced convincing was she that we eptat rni an old fashicinea walked out again, fast. person, in love With Old "Canada?. What's , Can - buildings. quiet walks and a' ada?" a carpenter said after pace of life that's not around enough any more. (Despite what ',some city gueitswe had ,on the weekend argee, life in a rural area can get pretty hectic, tore) why I jumped at the chance to travel back 350 years when We were in Massachusetts on our hula days. Plimoth Plantation was the place, a re-creation of the ,first Pilgrim settlement in the New World ,pnd 1627 was the date. It's surrounded by a tall stockade -like fence, and once -you're past the entrance building with its exhilnt.s and- -around.---Thatas-not-quite-the- fascinating explanatory film, case in the colonies, but still you've left 1980 behind. (Ex„ "Water'?" she's repeating cept for the hundreds of incredulously as we head off fellow tourists tramping the Plantation's narrow lane be- side you.) For Plimoth- inhabitants, dressed in clothes of hand woven fabric and working at thatching, cooking or carpen- try, don't know . anything about the world after 1627. Each inhabitant plays the part of an actual member of the first Plimoth community and for eightehours a day, each "is" that person. 'Dogs, my I could do with a bit of roast dog now", one woman commented as we walked into her humble ab- -....fig'.1-suRON:,pcpooT•Op ',99Tp.ogn..p•1980 :Somoth*..r*g..to...i:s:oy • by Susan While he'd asked where we came from, "The north", we ex- plained and he nodded sagely. "WATER? YUK" Another lady, hard at work keitting beside theblazing fireplace in her stifling hot house told us how the colony makes its beer. "Water?" she said inieeply to a tourist, ',"Visn't safe to drink water. Everybody knows not to drink water". Ale is the common drink of the masses, she explains, because• hi England especially, water is the most •dangerous drink down the street. h Outside a carpenter at work under a tree has his twentieth century ludience in stitches as he complains about the tools (belonging to his.boss) he must use. He rejects a tourist's hints on - how to get the job done faster with "but then oih'd have' to ee doing something else." After gazing in awe at a huge sow who can hardly move in her small pen, our daughter is most entranced by the Indians, two or three of them, on the Plimoth paths. A FRIENDLY TRIBE They're, from a neighbour-. ing, friendly tribe, arid have come to trade and share informatio,n midi the corony. (The first settlers tq,. winter over in the New World would have clied if not for the same tribe's generosity,) Two native women vvhistle outside the window of one house to let their friend, a settler's wife, know they are there. It's a beautiful, melod- ious whistle they've learned from eomeetriad and it brings theifsettler hostess out in a hurry. Unhurried small *talk - over—tbeefenee-followaaand--- the three women, and their obvious interest and delight in each other's strange ways, are an inspiration to watch. Apart from the people, and the absolutely authentic Pli- moth buildings (lotSief flies, food cooking and drying, broken untensits in use everywhere because the col- ony can't manufacture much but its own food at this stage), the view alone is enough to bring you back again and again. The piantation's small acreage slopes gently down to`the sea and far away in the distance you can see the real Plymouth, now a small city, home of the original rock the To the editor: We get what we think we 1 am a subscriber to the Expositor. Each week 1 read it live by line. Always 1 am impressed by the amount of research done before any issue goes to print. It is not a "hearsay " paper. There seems to be a great deal of' "looking -into" at source on each item, thereby avoiding embarrassment to individuals who tend to make the news. 1 learn a lot about our heritage by reading this paper. 1 mean things that the average person, younger, might take for granted. I mean Items about horses, conveyances, bells such as rump bells, round -the -belly jingles. cutter shaft bells, foot -warmers. coonskin , rugs, p1cnic-1 railroads. 1 could go on and on. Example: In your latest addition. 1 came upon a line "The Seaforth Fire Brigade was called to the Bell Foundry CM Saturday afternoon (Oct. 3/30)". Did Seaforth really have a bell foundry? 1 was not aware of this. If so. who had it? Where did it go? or where Is it now? It seems that people had almost gfery- thing they needed in the days gone by. If the community thought it needed something. somehow it was acquired. and life went op merrily. Those were the people • 1 mean real people • not necesarily those who ran the organizations, but the ones who made the businesses and cirgarazations necaseary. if they had to have shoes os harnesses repaired, somehow a cobbier landed on the scene from somewhere. It simply fascinates me; the way all of it fitted into place. We get inklings of all crf it. bit by bit. by reading -the Expositor and it is never shoved down one's tbroat. There is in all of this an ever evident faith Bike riders take care *Bicycle accidents involving death and injury are on the increase. Complaints have been received at the Seaforth police office regarding the operation of bicycles. A person riding a bicycte on any read must obey the same rules as ITSCACIT Vehicle drivers. Several warnings heare been given to affeeders but this does not eapii ear to have led to an irrapreved situation. Persons can and will be charged if seen breaking any of the laws of the road when operating a bicycle. Cbildreri tend to follow an example set by adults and a little help from parents to remind their children of the dangers of careless operation of a bicycle could lead to suffering and disability. I ask you all to assist in the prevention of bicycle accidents. Chief of Police JontaCairns. e. pervading the atmosphere - that people will get what they think they need. Someday some bright person will tell us how to stop vandalism, in the area. It will be someone who is not looking for reward but someone who realizes that a sector of society is screaming and needs to be heard - a sector trying to say something to the more fortunate - the fortunate who have already gained identity. The ones who are already referred to either as Mr. and Mrs. citizen' or as Joe or Mabel; The accepted, Do you dig Mr. Editor? A sector is screaming, "What On Thursday. October 23 there will he an O.M.B. hearing at 1000 rem. In the Vanastra Rec. Centre. This hearing is scheduled on the issue of the people of Vanastra opposed to Bylaw #11* -1980 versus the Tuckersmith ' Township Council's majority in favour of the bylaw. Bylaw #11-1980 Is council's attempt to force the payment, through taxes, of the original debt of S130,000. -- on the people and the community of Vanastra only, white in fact the township for years already has corn. pletely take over the awnershipand manage- ment of the centre. This rather ridiculous, but even more so totally unfair position brought to my mind the story of the little country af Astria. But before 1 tell you my story. let rep assure von that our fight is not against the township or its people. We are neighbors! Our fight is a fight for fairness. it is the old old story of the small versua these who are big, of the weak versus those who art powerful. Perhaps through the committee of the United Countries. meeting shortly. there will be fairness for the people of Astria. But wait. now I'm ahead of my story. Years ago there was a small but beautiful country called Astria. The melodious name reflects something of the happiness and expectations of its people. The people had great hopes, great plans. They wanted their little country to be really a good place for all the people. the many children, the teen- agers. and yes. also for themselves. At one ef the peeple's meetings sovieone suggested building an amphitheater. a place where ail the people of the whole country could get together. A place for the famous and beautiful{ Astria foikdances. for the many competitive games. It would be a ittlace where young and old could sing their beloved national anthem and where the _ _ people coutd proudly fly their flag, a green, circle on a wnite field with a torus flower in the centre. The amphitheater would be a people's place. filled with music and fun and children's voices. about me?" You complacent The temptation is ever thus, upon approaching this problem, to commence to build a canal and herd the unidentified, unaccepted, into the canal, and there give all of them an -ice cream cone. That would mefely make matters worse. . When the problem is finally solved it will be on such a day as life becomes simpler for the unaccepted. It will be when young Jack Is complimented lax his folks for piling a woodpile straighter thee his.brother. Ifigteeeeee he is included at the gathering becaus,f be need helped to make the party. He ran down town to get an extra loaf of bread and knew that his mother was pleased because he saw the look on her face. He returned with the loaf and on time and it helped. It will be simple and the organization will not be evident and there will be no handles such as president, secrebary, recorder, big brother, tamer. It will be: "Hello, Billy. have you got a minute? 1 could usc some help." Jack Smith Box 26 Dublin, Ont. Vanastra parable Everyone was.in favour. Mcn and women volunteered. The women of Astria were a rugged and hardworking lot. But then one of the elderly stood up and,pointed out that even though an amphitheater was a good idea and certainly worthy of the. spirit and ambitions of the people of Astria. actually the country was pear and the trees my chest empty. , Well the people of Astria were not easily discouraged. A delegation was sent to the rich and powerful country of Usserit to the North. Soon the sound af hammers and trowels could be heard throughaut the cauetry. The rulers ef usserit had agreed to help out. And there was joy and laughter in the streets. • But then sofriething went wrong. Marc end more workers of Usserit replaced Astria volunteers. The building became larger and larger, much larger than the original idea And with amazement the people noticed the outline of a - dome covering the whoie amphitheater. This was not Mei! idea! But thereramours spread around that the rulers of Usserit had decided on a dome. The people of Astria held their breath They were poor. They iveee also small in numbers, and the rulers of Usserit were very powerful. Yet they know in their hearts that something was wrong. And the streets became empty and silent. But behind the heavily curtained windows little groups of men and women were meeting and whispering about plans of protest. So -me of the mere courageous ones made secret trips to the United Countries headquarters. for help and unrlesstanding. And anger filled the hearts of the people of Astria. Slowly but surely their freedoms af choice and decision were wiped out by the heavy hand of the Usserit refers. And in addition the people were burdened with heavy taxes to satisfy the imperial ambitions of its powerful neighboring country to the North. HARVEST TUNE Each year at harvest time civil servants from Usserit. riding heavy motorcycles and Expositor asks: BY DEBBIE RANNEY Fall has arrived. The leaves on the trees are changing colour and you can almost smell the turkey , and pumpkin pie as people begin preparations for the Thanks- giving holiday on Monday. Thanksgiving is what.this week's Expositor Asks column is all about as we asked area people, "What does Thanksgiving mean to you or what are your plans Lor Thanksgiving?" "It means getting together with the rest of the family," said Lillian Malaniuk of 96 East William St., Seaforth. "1 expect my daughter from Toronto will be up and my son maybe and his family," she added. What are you doing for Jean Stewart of R.112. Seaforth said she has to work on Thanksgiving but that she would probably celebrate it on another day. Mrs. Helen Goddard of 92 Nelson St., Hensel' said; "Our plans are first, attending church and later in the day we will be sharing a Thanksgiving dinner with. our family and friends at our cottage on Lake Huron "We really enjoy it, because it's one of the few times our family can get together and probably the only time before Christmas that we'll all be together." she added. Anita Scroggs of Brucefield said she was hoping she could go up to Collitigwood to Thanksgiving? see her mother. "Thanksgiving is harvest time. I guess we realize winter's -coming (because of it), . We should give thanks for what we have had," she said. • Teresa Maloney, of R.R 2, Dublin said, "It (Thanksgiving) means a lot to me, because I usually see a lot of the family. It's a big day for me and 1 look forward fo it." Mary Ryan of R.R. 1, Staffa said, Thanksgiving to means getting together with the family, 1 guess." Myrtle Holley of R.R. 4, Walton said their plans were to go away as they had already had an early Thanksgiving. waring leather jackets would cross the border. They demanded onc third of the crop, also one third of the flocks and herds. They drove into the yards. knocaed on the doors and wheeled around as if they owned the country. The people of Astria felt that these civil servants really did own their country. they -were tax colectors. They demanded payntent or else exile af the mercy of the Usserit rulers. And the peel* silently sighed- and struggled underneath their heavy burdens. At times they cast a quick glance at the rising dome in the centre of their country. And they listened to the sound of strange words of the Usserit workers. And if' no Usserit pent* were around they would shake a fist. Then came the day for the big opening ceremony. But the streets of Astria were empty and quiet. Fnom behind theie curtains the people watched the Usserit parade of bands and banners. and dignitaries and workman and soldiers. In front of this impressive parade rodean armored car aith' the rulers of Usserit safely behind buffet proof glass. At the ceremony, dignitaries from neigh- boring couraries politely congratulated the rulers of Usserit for their fine humanitarian spirit and generosity towards the people of Astria. But there was no sound of Astria's beloved national anti -teen. and -the beautiful banners with the Lotus flower inside the green circle on white field were hidden in attics an e ts waiting a better day. And there was no Jughter and fun and music. - and no child en's voices echoing among the rafters. As the days went by. the Astria resistance movement gained momentum. New leaders enierged among the people. person A with a strong sense of justice and fair/ids to all. Also persons with a willingness to take risks, exile if necessary. People's meetings were held in safe and sanctified places where the long and powerful, arm of the Usserit rulers could not re,ach. it was decided to appeal once mare to The United (ountries to send a • committee. Perhaps this time. this committee would hear the voice of the people. and sense the pent-up emotions. Perhaps this time the eommittee would judge and speak with power. a power befitting such an in- ternational body. And perhaps this time the committee would be mindful of the weak and the poor and the few, and the unfairness. A stirring of hope. like a spring breeze, moved among the people of Astria. This is the end of my story. The O.M.B. . committee will hear both sides on the issue of the proposed bylaw #11-1980 en October 23. I hope with all my heart that justice and •fairness will be done to the people and community of Vanastra. Our fight is a fight for fairness to alll Peter Mantel Vanastra Pilgrims reached u 1620. (We paw it too, ?beside a replica of the MayfloWer. It's just an ordinary small rock and some klutz has earved or stamped the date "1620" on its surface.) In a local newepaper we picked up at the Plantation entrance, we read about a re,inactment of a' Plimoth wedding that took place this summer. After a huge am- ount o f research and pre- paration, the joyous '.event was pretty 'close to an au- thentic 1627 One, with a procession, a: feast,some pretty rowdy games and wedding presents (tt wooden spoon and a rare glass bottle for example). - Photos accompanying the story show Plantation inter- pretive staff (as the actor/ inhabitants are called) hav- ing a whale of a time. And SP - apparently did the 2,469 visitors who watched the August wedding. The Plimoth .experience Certainly started me thinking about bringing Jim past to light mere vividly right here in Hnron.ceuntY, for exalnPle,,..4"re-it;taettnellt of in 1870 ;Christmas at the Van Egmond House: (An 1850 hanging at the Huron. Gaol in Godericb is tempting but perhaps too risky.) Maybe' we'll get the past in action around here someday too, but meanwhile, Plimoth Plantation reminded our fa- ; mily that history is people and their daily lives, not dry old stuff in a text book. The 1627 Pilgrim village in Massachusetts Seaforth firm to right asbestos problem in school BY CATH WO OTiEN Work will be done this weekend at Robertson Memorial Public School to replace ceiling tiles loaded with amphibole asbestos discovered in studies initiated by Huron County Board of Education -hired architects • Kyles, Kyles & Garratt. Certain'amounts of asbestos were found hi several other county schools and will also be eliminated indue time, Brian Garratt report- ed to the board at its regular monthly meeting October 6. If a ceiling tile which contairis asbestos is broken, it explodes with these tiny particles. A single fibre. upon entering the lungs, may cause cancer. Smith Construction in Seaforth has been contracted to do the work this weekend at Roberston at an approximate cost 14510,000. Victoria Public. alai) in Goderich, is another school with asbestos content. It contains the less dangerous transite asbes- tos fibres in corridor, classroom. and inemnasium. ceilings. The tiles will not have to be replaced. but simply encapsulated with a sealing. Brookside, Blyth, and Stephen Central school, all have small amounts of transite fibres within them, which will mean replacing or sealing certain tiles. On the bigh school scene, Goderich District Collegiate Institute was the only building found to be free of asbestos. Central Huron in Clinton will prove to be the biggest job at 577,000 tolcompletely replace certain ceilings on the second floor. In Seaforth, the gymnasium ceiling will have to have a. sealer over the accoustic plaster at cost of S7i500. The entire cost of the asbestos elimination will be approximately_ 5293,000. This cost has been submitted to the Ministry of Education ' for acceptance. since ministry grants may cover 90 per cent of the bill. Garratt stated that Heron County's asbestos problems are minimal compared to those of other areas: The common denom- inator in the Huron schools which contain asbestos is the fact that all those 'schools were built between 1950 and 1955. •• Agripress tells county how to promote Huron BY SHARON DIETZ A local advertising agency has present• ed a package of promotional ideas to Huron County council aimed at using the county's promotional dollars more wisely to attract industry to Huron and promote the county to tourists. The presentation by Agripress Canada Ltd. of Hensall says the county must become more professional in its promotion and must design an overall plan for all of its promotional activities. Adrain Bayley told county council. September 29 that his agency believes display advertising in national or inter- national publications 4 an expensive way to promote the county and even though the county receives many enquiries, few are crinverted into sales. The county has been advertising in such publications in the past in --an attempt to attract industry to Huron and create more Obs. Promotional ideas presented by Mr. Bayley include an eight -page tabloid news- paper to stimulate interest in Huron County as a good place to !mate a business or light industry. The paper would also promote the attractiveness of, Huron as a home arid eacation site stressing the quality of life here. This "Quality of Life" good people. good places theme is the main one to stress in this type of publication said Mr. Bayley. It will not however, be accomplished with statisti- tall lists, but tether a casual. ocinversational but not gossipy. editorial style. People already living in the county would be interviewed and the interviews would be accompanied by photographs showing the people involved in activities which illustrate the compatibility of their atork environment "esith the enjoyable aspects of living in Huron County. You're The regular monthly Meeting of the Seaforth town council will be held Wednesday October 15, at 7:30 in the town hall. • A ratenayers meting will be held at the town hall in Seaforth Monday, October 28 at 8:30. The regular movably meet= ing of the Seaforth Hospital Auxiliary will be held on October 14th, 7:30 p.m. Please note time change. Junior volunteer award night The public relations meeting of the Seaforth Women's Institute will be held at the Seaforth Public heeeeeefeee ,eeeeireeeAeteee Another theme Mr. Bayley suggested the tabloid should develop is Huron County asa community rather than a collection of self- aiterested communities. He explained, that this sines not mean each inearperated town or village would be ignored, but the overall impart should be one of co-oper. aeon rather than competition between areas. Someone interested in tecattng m the county should be convinced of the advantages of a general area. the entire county. before he looks for a specific site. Inc tabloid would also give some coNideratIon to replies. from interested businessmen. This hould direct responses to county officials who can contact other municipalities which have the potential to 'serve the proposed business. STANDARD ADS Mr. Bayley also recommended the county adopt a standard advertisement format for all advertising. whether it be tourism or for county staff. Ip "addition he suggested some press release head paper should be made available and a series of press releases sent out throughout the year to the various travel magaziries and overseas trade publications. He also suggested a placemat be produced aticb can be supplied to restaurants on a e'eael personalized basis throughout the ceunty. Mr. Bayiey recommended the county continue with the town brochures for each aidividual town and village but that the artwork be standardized and made more professional. Eventually. he said. a brochure should be put together with facts and figures on the county. a technical fact sheet to follow up the tabloid newspaper, Finally Mr Bayley suggested a table top Iasi:a-ay to he used at conventions and exhibitions would be a good investment. It could also be ujed in tourist areas and at Gaderich . invited School on Tuesday. October 14 at 8:15 p.m. Pleas'e- bring old school books for a display. flinch convaaors are Mrs. R. Gordon, Mrs. E. Papple and Mrs. G. Papple. Seaforth's B1A Study Group is holding a meeting to discuss Christmas shop- ing promotion plans tonight, Thursday, Oct 9 at 7:30 in the Town Hail, All business people are welcome. 4 Correction , Fof anther infierrnation "ter the network for women in Huron County and their October meeting. women can amtact Helene at 235-1774. The telephone number listed in last week's story was incorrect. In the 'Seaforth-Hensall pipeline story, Union Gas' chief pipeline inspector Terry Moon was incorrectly identi- fied as Terry Moore. We apologize for the error.