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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-12-31, Page 14• De You re.MPthher the $ear You were 13ii1at awkward 'age between being ° an aaelescent ami Thif-fledgecl teenager - when you don't want to he treated like a child anymore but are still reluctant to accept the responsibilit- ies -that come with growing up. 'De Year when r was a golden 13 (at lest it seems golden from today'S perspective) really was a time,. of transition. I knew it was the last time 1 could really act like a kid, could dawdle on the mile. -and -a -half summer walks home from school and still invent completely harebrained ' schemes- two friends and I planned to open an orphanage fox., stray dogs in ,a vacant woodlot near the one friend's home. Unfortunately, our parents were less than enthusiastic. My thirteenth year was also the age when my father took our family to see his. homestead in the Peace River country, where he:d barely eked out an existence for 10 ' years in his. bachelor days:Not only did, the trip introduce me to the joys of travel, but 1 also managed to miss Grade 8 graduation and, the chore of buying one of those fussy "little girl" dresses you'll likely never wear again.. But 13 was also the year when 1 started wondering __seriously about-the-world—about-the uniVerse-and-m-y- place in it, about the serious matter of what I'd do with my life, and about matters of death and life -after -death. 1 thought at the time I was the only person with such weighty matters oh my mind, but those concerns are all part of being an adolescent. • CASTOR Oa Enough, however, about my thirteenth year. It's Mary McKenzie's thirteenth year which I really want to talk about. Mary was a farm girl in pioneer Ontario, and when she turned 13, in 1897, she promised herself she'd keep a detailed diary, "for my descendants," in which she'd write -every day of the year, describing her family, community customs, her relationship with God and her own thoughts and feelings. The penalty, self-imposed but taken very seriously nonetheless, for not writing in the diary was taking a large dose of castor oil. If there was one thing Mary McKenzie hated with a passion, it was castor oil. The "McKenzie" family, really the John Young family, lived at the cross-roads community of Waubuno, south of Sarnia, not far from where I grew up. The father was a Scotsman who'd settled ' his uncleared farm just after Confederation and his wifeEmma Dawsonwas the first teacher at the community's small, one -room school. Last spring David Plumb, a Dorchester teacher, decided SDHS NIGHT SCHOOL Offers the following courses BEGINNING TUESDAY, JAN. 13 SEWING AND/OR TAILORING 10 weeks - fee $15 VAN.AG 8 weeks - fee $10 (mainly silk and dried (lowers) 8.1gAD _LAMIL4ED GLASS Ef.alik_311ERS 7 weeks - fee $15 BASIC CERAMICS FQR BE_OIMIERS 10 weeks - fee $15 (Ceramics classes are held at Seaforth Public School NOTE: Students must pay for materials in above courses. BEGINNING WEDNESDAY JAN 14 LADIES RECREATIONAL BASKETBALL 10 weeks - fee 51-0 (Limited to age 17 and over) ALL CLASSES_BEGIN AT 8 P.M. CALL THE SCHOOL AT 527-0380 BEGINNING JAN. Sth TO REGISTER �L 9, by Aiice Gibb his mother's diary was too appealing to be read only by family members. So, with the help of a local printer, he published the diary as a charming book titled "When I was thirteen," a book that occupied much of my spare time over the holidays/ One matter•which Mary deyotes much thought to in her diary is the- matter of • the Presbyterians and the Methodists, the tvv.o groups with churches in her rural community. "The worst boy (in her school) lives west and the best one lives east, but they are both Presbyterians. Pa used to be a Presbyterian in Scotland, but the Methodist church was so handy out here that he turned into a Methodist. I hardly know the difference between what- they believe. They preach, about the same things, but the Presbyterian seem more set in their ways and more solemn. I think the Pres-Byterians thinTif-s aTI seltried beforehand whether you'll get to heaven or not and the Methodists think you might get there and you might not - it all depents. I am glad I am a Methodist, as it is so much more interesting not to be sure of what's going to happen, and to be able to swing things yourself a little." MARRYING Marriage is another matter that causes Mary no little concern. The oldest three in her family (she had six brothers and sisters) are already being invited out to community parties, but not Mary - only three members from one family are asked to outings in Waubuno. "When one gets married they ask the next one, as you have to settle down as soon as you get married and don't get to any more parties. "But there's no sign of anyone in this house getting married yet, so I suppose there's no use of my looking forward to parties. 1 will probably have to be an old maid, too, as it's at the parties that people get interested in each other and start to fall in love." "I will not mind not getting married so much unless somebody brand new turns up, as it makes me sort of sick at my stomach to think of marrying anyone I know yet, and I expect that's the way the boys I know feel when they think of marrying me, though' some of them are good chums, and I like them that way alright." "Being married is one of the things there's no use imagining about in Heaven either, as the Bible says there is nobody married after they go there." ROAMING PHOTOGRAPHER—You may see this fate about often in the future. It belongs to David Alexander of Egmondville. a student at Conestoga College in Stratford, and he's working part time as a photographer on evenings arid weekends for the Expositor. (Photo by Shoveller) 527-0180 rront Row: Brenda, Vicki Back Row: Kim, Kathy, Bob Myriam Happy New Year! HOLIDAY HOURS Wed: Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thurs: Jan 1 st Closed PIZZAS CAN BE ORDERED THREE QUARTERS COOKED AND FINISHED AT HOME. I a • I* I a if akin 1 444 1.111g...1411 11.,iivu 11.Itliti•TIllitlanti,et.'" • Year in review Centinued from rage 8 DECEMBER 18,1980 Stan Vanderwal. Varna area farmer. lases 25.000 chickens in a Ere that destroys his barn The Van Egrnond Foundation hires three penple to staff the hnnse on a fulltirae basis as a museum and cammunity meeting place. uoyd Eisler Jr. of Egmandville and partner lorri Baier (If Mitchell win a silser medal at the junior worlds figure skating champ- lionship Bank closures in the villages of Londesbaro and Braceffeld upset villagers DECEMBER 25, 1980 Perth County Board of edncation also requests stop- lights at the Dublin inter- section. Promipent Seaforth businessman, Dick Box. 58, dies following a lengthy illness. John and Chris Coultis and family of Varna were left homeless when fire de- stroyed their frame house Saturday night Neil Newman is hired as Seaforth's new police eonstable. "I expect some of the women ground here will feel queer, at first not to ,have to hop around waiting on a man,, but say, I bet they'll enjoyit!" • Mary spent a good deal of the diary worrying she'd be ' an old maid, not because she thought that state was a bad one, but because it would nnean she didn't have any descendants, and that, after all, was the reason she was writing the diary. OLD MAIDS "thereare only one or two old maids around here, but 1 noticed they generally look quite 'a lot happier than the married ones do. I \read in the paper Once that nine out of ten married women would refuse an introduction to their husbands if they had the chance to do it again. that scared me a littlebut I was counting on my husband being different. I was going to take a chance on being one of the tenth ones, anyway, as 1 want to get all the experience 1 cap. But 1 suppose if I get the experience of being married, I would have to miss the experience of being an old maid, and according to the looks on their faces, the old maid's experience seems best." Mary also worries about women's place in the world in genera1-itr--1897-,--th-e—wcYrifeli-Zidii-f even- go • community political debates, since they didn't have the vote, She concludes however, with the Bible as her reference, that women actually are superior to the males of the world anyway. "Maybe what makes some men so much like an animal in some ways is that when he was coming out of that stage, he kept some of the feelings of that animal, and ,carried them right on through all the stages, and still thy show up sometimes in the man. Anyway, it, makes it interesting when you see a man acting not like a Christian sometimes, and with not much sense, to try to figure out what animal he got those actions and feelings from." "I am glad now that God didn't make use of women until He had finished the man, and all those animals stages were through with." "Nobody can say now that there is any monkey about us, as we did not have to come through those stages, being made from the rib of the man." "I have been thinking perhaps that when I get married, I gad better be the head of the household myself, and not depend on my husband, as 1 do not want any monkey business showing up in my family and if he is not a real strong Christian man, there may be some danger." _Note: When 1 Was Thirteen by Mary McKenzie is printed by The Aylmer Express Ltd., and is available from David Plumb, Dorchester, Ontario. In a future Serendipity I'll let Mary describe some of the interesting Waubuno customs, including bee -tree parties, which she outlines in her fascinating diary. People D.C.G.(Joe) McLean of Winnipeg is visiting Mr. and Mrs. A.Y. McLean and family over the New Year holiday. Christmas Day visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Coleman aod John were. Mr. Allen Coleman. Regina, Barb Chesney, London. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Allen, Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. Ken Forqvhar and Lynn, Ingersoll Mr. and Mrs. Warren Priestap and Scott Stratford. Mr. and Mrs. Laverne Scott. Ronald, Scott, London, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cleave. Chris and Carrie. Exeter: Kevin arid Sherri Coleman. Mr. and Mrs. Allan Grigg and family of London. Mr. and Mrs. Bron Stewart and famil% of Kitchener spent Christmas with their parents. Mr and Mrs John Sinclair. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Williamson and Stephanie of Bramalea instted over the holitia% t%itti her parents Mr and Mrs. Mery Nott Master Corporal Helen %darn of German!, %noted tiih faired) and friends oser the holiday season More people news page 17 HELD * ER Dec. 31 -Jan. 8 NOTE SHOWTIMES WED., DEC. 31 • ONE SHOWING ONLY $ P.M. THUS. -THUS. TWO SHOWINGS NIGHTLY 7 & 1 P.M. The Got:leech Signal Star apologises for the Incon- yen's:once caused by the Christmas Night Showtime error. Getatitto, 0 THE PHONE 524 7811 AIR CONDITIONED PROGRAM SUBJECT T • CHANGE WITH • UT NOTICE THE HURON E?(P01:19FLPEc.,EIVIPE" 31,1080 PRESENTATION OF 25 -YEAR PINS—Grand Knight Ewart Wilson of Searort117 -p reSeritt-25:yearp1118-tb- -KNOW .i5f 't.:o I u mb u s mem bers, Fr . Stephen Eckert Council 5289, Seaforth and District, (left to right) Dan O'Rourke of Seaforth, Clem Krauskopf of R.R. 1, Dublin, Frank Reynolds of R.R. 2, Seaforth and Leo Hagan of Seaforth. Others receiving 25 -year pins who weren't pr:esent .Were John A. Murphy, Tom 'Fleming, Simon Hallahan, John T. Hallahan and Dan Hallahan. (Photo by Ellis) K of C present pins The annual Christmas Ladies' Night, sponsored by the Father Stephen Eckert Council 5289 of Seaforth and District, was, well attended on Thursday night at the council rooms. As usual Santa Claus visited and presented gifts to the ladies. Winner of the council's monthly share -the -wealth draw w,as Anna Kennedy, Mitchell. Seller of winning ticket was Don Moylan. The $50 consolation went to Patrick Flanagan ., R.R. 1, Dublin and the seller was John Van Bakel. Another 'feature of the evening was the annual Christmas draws sponsored by the Dean Egan Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Seaforth and area. Faithful Navigator ot the assembly, Al Grant of Stratford, was in charge of the draw. The winners were: 1st prize, Debbie Overholt, Exeter; 2nd prize, Ed Fleming, Stratford; 3rd prize, Brenda Grant, Stratford and 4th prize, Helen McCann. Mt. Carmel. PRESENTATION MADE Presentation of 25 year pins took place following the council meeting. Those members of 25 years are as follows: John A. Murphy, Frank Reynolds, Dan O'Rourke, Clem Krauskopf, Toni Fleming, Simon Hallahan, John T. Hallahan, Dan Hallahan and Leo J. Hagan. Taking part in the presentations were Grand Knight, Ewart Wilson assisted by past grand Knight, Charles Rau. Dancing to Mozart's Melody Makers of Zurich followed and the evening ended with a smorgasbord lunch. What's happening? What's happening Is a weekly column, space donated by The Huron Expositor. To list your event, call the Recreation Office at 527-0882. DATE EVENT Wed. Dec. 31 Public Skating Thurs. Jan. 1 Happy New Year Fri. Jan. 2 Zurich vs Sr. Ringette Fri. Jan. 2 Public Skating Sat. Jan. 3 .. Public Skating Sat. Jan. 3 Mitchell vs Novice Sun_ Jan. 4 Men's Broomball Sun. Jen. 4 Mitchell vs Midgets Sun. Jan. 4 I .H.L. Tues. Jan. 6 Wingham vs Bantam Tues. Jan 6 Tavistock vs Cente- naires Wed. Jan 7 Moms & Tots Skating Wed. Jan. 7 Women's Broomball PLACE Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena Arena ft/ TIME 1-3 p.m. 7 p.m. 8-9:30 p.m. 1:30-3 p.m. 3:15 p.m. 12-4 p.m. 4 p.m 7-11 p.m. 6:45 p.m. 8:30 P.m 1-3 p.m. 8.15 pm. PART-TIME AND CONTINUING EDUCATION CLINTON CAMPUS Vanastra Road, Clinton, Ontario NOM 110 Phone 482-3458 COURSE NAME Days) . Fee ACADEMIC Home Study Mathematics Levels 11 to IV and English Levels 111 arid IV CLERICAL/SECRETARIAL Bookkeeping Fundamentals M. & T. Typewriting M. SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT Effective Supervlsoon-Adrninstratoon M. How to Start a SrnaH busmess T. PRE -CERTIFICATION AND REFRESHER COURSES Natural Gas Fitter Licence Preparation M. & T. WOIVIENS EDUCATION PROGRAM Leadership for Women SPECIAL INTEREST Income Tax Preparatx3n For more information, or to M. M. 515 543 S22 567 575 566 525 T. 548 obtain a copy of our Winter 1981 Catalogue containing details on the above courses or other part-time courses offered through Continuing education, telephone or -visit our Clinton Campus between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday and from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. PLEASE tifT-E: The fol owing courses are offered at the Stratford Campus: w. $43 M. 536 Sat. $56 T. 525 M. -Th., Sat. $22 For more information contact the Stratford Campus between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday by telephone 271-5700. ' Principles of Accounting Travel Consultant 1 More Effective Business Writing Wocd Stoves and Fireplaces Welding Conestoga College csfAped Arts and echnology We've got a lot to share. -