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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1979-11-01, Page 1010, -- THE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER 1, 1979 • • by Aiico Gri ► , ' of la The daywas fraught with. Teachers:, I've been,. r thinking , late, arebecoming a much maligned profession, embarrassment, I: was certain she'd make falling somewhere in the range of used car some terrible blunder, Insult a classroate,or salesmen and politicians, It seems in, the , do something else to completely destroy last decade members of one of the oldest, my school career. But she managed and at times, noblest profession, have been spelling, mathematics and noon hour with coming in for more than their fair the other teachers. Then, even thought d' even n share of crtticism,ex > pect this wasn't 'Friday, she promised the bribe phenoneeen correlates directly with. .an art lessonat the end. of the afternoon, teachers takin to the picket line and with All 1 remember is that we learned how to; B� the ever-expanding school system, where draw lilacs, and that the lesson was a hit - p g parents sometimes feel they've become I Even the fact that she rode home with us; outsiders in the learning process. on the school bus, something `adults,' On Monday evening, when 1 was sitting never did, couldn't quite destroy the day, ;Mat the teachers' professional activity, day But quite frankly, l was relieved when she as a guest, and trying to come to grips with "returned to her accustomed role of mother" some jargon I hadn't heard slnce my own: Students always had a; special sympathy school days. I couldn't help .thinking of for students who were actually in a, class actor Peter OTooter (A wandering Mind taught by one ;or the other of their was always one of M sproblems in school,) parents -we assumed it must be a little like When, t'eter tY'Ioole was. filming the being in purgatory. Since the movie .Lawrence of. Arabia, Ed Sullivan teacher: parent became the parent/teacher asked him how be liked riding around the at night, these unlucky students could desert on the back of a camel. never quite obtain heavenly bliss, leaving. The'Irish actor thought fora moment and all thoughts of school behind. then answered,. "'Well, I've met some 'A MEMORABLE TEACHER. nasty people and some: nasty camels, but I' Now certainly one of the most think I've met more nasty people than Memorable teachers 1 ever had was a high nasty camels." school English teacher, Joseph DiProfio, With apologies; to Mr, O'Toole, l'd have .His university background was in the to admit I've met some bad or otherwise sciences, but he had a love for literature I, forgettable teachers,, ° and some very don't think Vim seen matched anywhere. dedicated, memorable ones and. I'd have to. Even the students who, didn't care for conclude I've met more of the latter than either English or Mr. DiProfio's teaching the former, Besides, anyone who can style had to admit the man must have spent spend six hours a day 'upwards u wards of 20 . all his .spare hours readying for the next students of any age or sex, and still have: a day's .classes. smile on their face, has my undying The reason Mr. DiProfo was"exceptional admiration, I think we all have to admit seemed to be that he didn't believe school that somewhere in our school career .or had to be dull, The year we studied one of even in our non -school life, we've come in the Bronte sister.'s hovel Jane Eyre,, a had: the. gift ofrather tedious ,tale in many .laces, Mr,contact with people who gz p making learning fun,' Not all those people DiProfio decided, to make ita bit more were professional teachers, but they did ' interesting. The result was, he staged the have a natural gift for making life seem wedding scene, complete with cast, • exciting. -<_,„_ costumes and props, and the fellow LOTS OF TEACHERS students as the embarassed groom (Mr Now 1 came from a family where • Rochester) and a blushing "governess” teaching was a tradition. My grandmother taught in the days. when ladies in 'the classroom weredefinitely the exception and she had three daughters who followed bride. The book changed from just another "dull" classic to a universal dove story;. although I'm, still not convinced 1'd ,risk. marrying a man who locked his former wife to .normal school right in her foosteps. in the attic, (but then I'm not scraping out a Being directly descended from a teacher is living as a governess either." a. cross for any child to bear -something like In the periodwhen I spent the better part having :to wear braces on your first date. of my day in a high school:." classroom,: Now while my mother's former career English classes were .a steady diet. of coul4:.beitept secret most of the time, every Shakespeare and Joseph Conrad. Although, now and "then she'd turn into Mrs: Gibb Conrad is certainly an inspiring. ;writer, by.. and show up in school as a member of that the time we'd read his third sea. story, his endangered species -a supply teacher. Still, themes and style were getting a little it wasn't until the fifth grade that the predictable: That's when our teacher came inevitable happened -she was called tofill up with another inspired move. in for our missing teacher.. ' This time" he divided the. novel Youth into:- Perth Farm News Heifer care. topics like setting, style,'Aherne, Characters etc. and assigned small groups in the class to handle each topic. I'll: neer forget walking into the English lassone afternoon to see it transformed ..... an. ,$ . to . nautical habitat, with fishnets, shells and life preservers hanging from the walls, and ceiling, and students waving sheets of tin to recreate the sound of breaking waves, The effect almost made you taste the sea spray on your face. MyVigroup was handed the assignment of tackling° style, and,we dressed one poor a group member as Joseph Conrad himself, completewith goatee, top hat and tails and put him to work weeding a small gar den at the front of the class, with branches of a 3 1: 0 H fruit tree representing the different elements of style in Youth, .1t may have been a slightly unorthodox approach to the writer, but come exam: time, it was easier to conjure up pictures of the various: classroom dramas when it came to ;tackling; - those weighty gµestions, on the author's; themes and style;ch. Tbesame teaer also encouraged us write,.both for class assignments and on our own time, Secretly. I think he always p ho .ed to find another Joseph Conrad or Ernest Hemingway .among, his students. He was they teacher who, directed the school's drama club; and .headed, up the publication of a magazine featuring the scribblings of students who were potential poets or, essayists. .Also, unlike many .Report. from :Queen's Park Generating plant problems BY MURRAY GAUNT A senior" Ontario Hydro Official, blames a. boiler manufacturer's design for problems in the steam gen; crating system at the Bruce A generating station that could take years and millions of dollars to solve. William Morison, Hydro's. director of design and devel opment, said the design con- cept, developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and. adopted by Babcock & Wil- cox Canada Ltd. apparently didn't meet )hydro - specific-ations. A special task force is meeting, aln ost daily 14.00 effort to decide, what to .do about ,st .esse,s that occasion- ally, bund. up within huge steam drums at the nuclear plant. Mr. Morison con- firmed. that.- one of many options being examined is a multi-million ;dollar replace - merit of eplace-ment.of the drums that would require each of the station's. four' 791 -megawatt units to be shut down for months at a time. The Ontario Cabinet :;has shelved' indefinitely its 'pro posed resident fishing li- cence,• Natural Resources Minister James " Auld an - pounced this week. Mr; Auld, said, that various groups have expressed support for the licence,. which would require Ontario residents to buy a seasonal fishing licence, on the condition that more money be given for fisheries management. Currently, only non-residents must buy a licence to fish. Mr. Auld said the fisheries program is a high-priority item which has already received $2 mil - '.ion this year. A senior Ontario Hydro. official blames a boiler manufacturer's design for problems in the steam; generating system at the Bruce' A generating- station!. 'that could take years and. millions of dollars to solve,'' A special,. task force ' is meeting almost daily in an effort to decide what to do about stresses that occasionally build up within huge steam drums at: the nuclear plant. Mr;. Morison confirmed'. that one, of many options being examined is a multi-million dollar replacement of the drums that would require: each of the: station's four 791 megawatt units to be shut .down for months at a time. Heifers and young stock which are well grown' will, normally, not need con- centrates after on-centrates:after 8-9 months of age if. fine quality 'forage is fed. More rapid; gams or improved conditions, if need- ed, willresult with daily feeding of 2-3 lbs. concen- trates. 5.6 lbs: concentrates daily should be fed if the forage is of poor quality. The heifer calf (Holstein) should reach 850 lbs in weight and. be 51". height at approx- imately 15 months of age. YOUTH DAY AT ROYAL Thursday, 'November 8th, is Youth, Day at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Scheduled events include the, Queen's Guineas Com- petition, Junior Barrow Show and Sale, the Inter. County Livestock Evaluation Com petition and a. Junior Horse Judging Competition. A rur- al youth! pep rally and youth centre' will add to the day. Young and old are wel- come to thisopening day at the Royal. It'san opportunity to see the Royal and support the many Perth county par- ticipants, PROPANE PIPELINE A few weeks ago we mentioned that ` a propane pipeline was being -proposed to cross Perth county on its '.way to Montreal, It was with great relief that we recently learned that a decision has been made not to proceed with this project. GRAM FOR OXFORD A number of Perth farmers have offered grain to farmers who suffered crop loss to the tornado, The disaster com- mittee feels that it's not practical to pick up small quantities of grain. Hence,. they are suggesting that the donors sell .the grain and Send the money to the UCO at "Woodstock. This firm, is setting up a grain bank to facilitate the movement of grain tot the farmers with losses. An individual can also make a cash donation to this fund. Farmers selling grain; and (or) making a cash donation, will 'receive an Jambe tar receipt, Remember it takes but mt, cttt to place an learn %altar Want 14 Dial 527. 02410. 6/ BUDGET PRICES Our fall, range features famous "Tabe",' High Fashion, `. Studio 55 Vogue and Bernardo fashion first makes, in a wide choice of styles. Feature fall colors include burgandy, black, grey, brown, camel, mink, green, blue and. rosewood. MI wool coats have chanioIs Interlinings. Sizes 10 to 20: and 16%.1O-221/4 VISIT OUR SWEATER DEPT. FOR CHOICE & VALUES • See the new "Kitten", Vogue: :I, and . Barbara Sue .sweaters, featuring• V necks. turtle necks, shawl necks, classic cardigans and bulky knits. (,/ PRE CHRISTMAS, SPECIAL ON °1 f N'S. A BOYS' VELOUR SHIRT; Choose from grey, plum, ivory, jade, burgandy, pink, blue, red, brown and others. Sizes Small to XX Large' [34 to 46c site.' S(?6 32. JUST ARRIVED FOR CHRISTMAS GWING! Odessa, Caprice, Fragrance & Misty Ratters WABASSO SHEETS ,,,SUPS . 1411114 ecni & COMFORTERS 111 lovolY Wiles rown AIWA FIITTED OR FLAT SHEETS SUPS.A PAIR MATCHING COMFORTERS PRICED 11 95.95 4500 Fablotled by Styk-Guild, these fully washable velou shirts come in newfall shades of sand, browns rust, navy, 'powder and grey. BOYS' SIZES 16" ;Drs. MEN'S SIZES Small to X Large Rogalar 29;3 9 The Ontario Cabinet has shelved indefiniteley its proposed resident. fishing; licence, Natural. Resources Minister James Auld announcedthis week. Mr, Auld said that various groups, have expressed support for the -licence; • which would require Ontario residents to buy a seasonal fishing licence, on the condition that more money be given for fisheries management. Currently, only non-residents must buy a licence to fish. Mr. Auld said'. the fisheries program is a high priority item which has already received 52 million this year. teachers, he never ignored students who didn't shine in the subject he taught, Every student in his class could :count enbeing asked at least one question during the period and; you didn't dare daydream. Finally, in case we didn't find the high :school library challengipt#`.enough, Mr. DiProtio. (with his own tunas t assume), •alwaysprovided a row of paper back novels; by contemporary writers he thought we might find interesting. (yes, even including..• some of our currently "banned":books. Now like so, many good classroorn. teachers, Mr. DiProfio caught the eye of education authorities, and was, eventually "`bumped up"°into the education 'bureaucracy .$ But the point of this column; hes been; quite simply to say that likely allot t s ye ad a teacher or teachers who influenced. our lives in conte sway. I'm inclined to agree with a man called Jacques Barzun, who: once said, "Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.'" .i So, how about an apple for the teacher' I'd like to do a column on the joys or the one room, schoolhouse later this year,, so if any former teachers or students have some stories they'd like to share abo t those"good old days", please give me a, call, TIME-OUTJ Coach•o nston talks to. members; of the SDHS Terr y h senior9iris' basketball game during last Wednesday's game against Clinton at the high .school, The Seaforth girls won the. game., (Expositor Photo) The Royal Canadian Legion i E AN E in Seaiforth. and district will take place NOVEMBER SUNDAYINCS EM BER 4 The support of the public for„the annual appeal will be' appreciated` SEAFORTH BRANCH` 156, ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION GEORGE'M I LLER President BETH THOMPSON Secretary CLAIR CAMPBELL ChairMan, Special Events R.V. WHITELEY Treasurer