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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1971-12-16, Page 4A welcome moue Ivan & Mickey's GULF SERVICE GRAND BEND 238-2257 § A "I thought for your Christmas present I'd leave $50 in the chequ- ing account" SAT., DEC. 18 1,00 to 2:00 p.m. ctIticfgroft sqgizft-csqldtPtttvAtc?4.i.c?Aii.zN•c?id.;:?..r,i.sq.c,1 .. ISFItigt1MFgMt.ttilliNlq.tig'AttqgCCFA 119019101.1111illiki, 14!(3.614110010•1111101NWSt•Oltili..WAI• 1 H e y K • 1 S • SANTA is Hurrying to '400-'''' Oh, that Santa Claus! How does he get away with it? With that beard and long hair, they should brand him a hippie, but on the other hand I hear the Senior Citizens are after him for a membership, and he certainly can't fit in BOTH categories. And that outfit . well, anyone else would get locked up in the booby hatch if they wore a bright red suit with a wide black belt, black boots and that crazy hat on his head. Unless they happened to be a snowmobiler, that is. And how about his age? Do you suppose it's legal for a man over 200 years old to continue working? Do you suppose he collects an old age pension? And I wonder if the government has ever collected income tax from the lovable old gent . . if, that is, he gets any rewards for his work. Betcha Santa hasn't got a social security number, unemployment insurance or a health and accident plan, either. Speaking of numbers, that sleigh of his must never have been zonfronted by a police officer, in all those years he's been making his pre-Christmas visits to children all over the world. Just picture the lengthy list of charges th6y- couldt lay, if they ever hauled him before a jiidge: no brakes, no lights, no turn signals, no licence, no seat belts, no emission control devices, no roof, no windshield wipers or washers, no parking lights, no muffler and no horn (unless he blows a toy horn from his bagful of goodies). From any stories I've heard about his Christmas trips, the police might also be able to nab him for improper turns, parking in restricted zones, failing to signal and a dozen others. I'm sure they could pin a speeding rap on him: after all, anyone who can cover every home in the world in one night must be travelling at least 80 miles an hour. Department of Transport officials might also be interested in talking to Santa about his unorthodox mode of travel. To the best of anyone's knowledge he has never filed a flight pattern, has been known to swoop as low as the roof tops, carries no pilot's licence and has what must be considered a very unsafe commercial airborne vehicle. Perhaps the unions would be interested in calling a conference with St. Nick, too. His toy-making shop elves aren't unionized and his reindeer aren't on the Teamsters' Union membership list, either. And there's a doctor in town who would like to give Santa an overall physical. He's afraid those rosy cheeks and ruddy nose are a sign of either high blood pressure or alcoholism, and he's also getting worried about Santa being so overweight. My doctor friend says he'd like to check St. Nick's back, too .. . lifting all those heavy toys must be taking its toll on the hard-working old gent. Yes, I'm sure Santa Claus could be in a lot of trouble, if the authorities ever catch up with him. Of course, they'll have to catch him first. Roy Downs, Milton Champion PTIONS When You're In Exeter Stop and Shop at Middletons * SEE * The pleasant changes designed to make your shopping easier and more pleasant. * SMELL * The perfumes and colognes that will add spice to your life *TASTE * The Laura Secord famous candies that will sweeten your Christmas * HEAR * Pleasant Christmas music while you shop IN SHORT—YOU USE YOUR GOOD SENSES when you shop at Middleton's Bob Middleton, PhmB Stan Horrell, PhmB PHONE 235-1570 EXETER CANADA PUBLIC HEARINGS The House of Commons Standing Committee ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS This Committee will visit South Western Ontario during the last week of January 1972 for the purpose of inquiring into the adequacy of the rail or substitute passenger service in that area. It is intended to hold public hearings in the following places at the times indicated. TILLSONBURG, ONT., Monday, January 24, 1972 Council Chambers 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. CHATHAM, ONT., Tuesday, January 25, 1972 William Pitt Hotel (Marina Room) 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. STRATFORD, ONT., Wednesday, January 26, 1972 Victoria Inn (Victoria Room) 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. WALKERTON, ONT., Thursday, January 27, 1972 Hartley House (Bruce Room) 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Organizations or individuals who wish to make presentations to the Committee and/or submit a brief on the passenger service are asked to inform the Clerk of the Committee, as soon'as possible. They are also requested to forward 40 copies, if possible, to the Clerk for distribution to Committee members prior to January 15, 1972, In the event that individuals do not have facilities for providing multiple copies, a single copy will suffice, Requests for additional information should be directed to: R. V. VIRR, Clerk of the Standing Committee on Transport and Communications House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A7 • Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 late tracefeRrimes4buocate SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND C.W.N.A., O.W.N.A., CLASS 'A' and ABC Editor -- Bill Batten -- Advertising Manager Assistant Editor -- Ross Haugh Women's Editor— Gwyn Whilsmith Phone 2354331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario _ Second Class Mall Registration Humber 0314 Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1970, 4,675 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $8.00 Per Year; USA $10.00 • hsreargao: a irAZ Ilegral Mllkltr lftitcA14"4.ilAs assoc. You get out what you put in Exeter council's decision to collect taxes quarterly will be welcomed by most local ratepayers, although the previous bi-annual system was probably never a hardship for those who budgetted properly. Taxpayers will still have to come up with the same amount of money, but it reduces the total of any one payment and creates less of a drain on the family budget for those who usually leave it until the last possible date. But one of the big advantages will be in the saving which will result from the town coffers being replenished earlier in the year. This will reduce the amount of money normally borrowed to meet expenses and will in fact prove a saving to the ratepayers. It's a good move, and we commend council for it. It could be that the saving will almost meet the increased pay members of council will be receiving next year, Their decision to pay stipends for committee meetings should bring dividends in that it will encourage more committee sessions and thereby reduce the amount of time taken to reach decisions at regular council meetings. This newspaper in the past has cited the problems of lengthy regular sessions. ,After four hours, even the most conscientious members of any group have to be losing their interest and items at the tail-end of the agenda are often not given the time required for proper and complete discussion. Committee work has never been utilized to its proper degree and the change approved by council should help correct this situation. If they catch him Don't Miss Him For Special Goodies Ever heard of bubble pipes? Never fails. Had barely written a column extolling the grand, mild weather we'd been having, when the wind came out of the north with a bone in his teeth, and the snow flew, and the car and I both started coughing. And almost before I'd begun rueing the writing of such a jinx column, my wife yelped something like, "Holy Old Whackers! It's almost Christ- mas." And sure enough, it almost is. Christmas, when we were all young, was something. There was looking forward to school holidays, associated with sleighs and toboggans and skating and coming in soaking wet, rosy as a cherub, hungry as a hyena. There was the anticipation of decorating, hanging stockings, rustling paper, and a vast magnificent turkey dinner, a once-a-year treat. Christmas shopping was no problem. Nobody had any money. Of course, the agonizing decisions were there, even then. For adults: should it be something practical — a new sweater or long underwear; or should it be something magic and enchanting — a game or a book? No question of both. For kids, with maybe 85 hard- earned pennies to spend, there was no problem. A bubble-pipe for your brother (10 cents and supply his own soap); a colouring book for your sister (15 cents and find her own crayons; a beautiful cup and saucer for your mother at 35 cents; and a purple and yellow tie for you dad, at 25 cents. If the family were bigger, you cut your cloth. And you did all your shopping on the day before Christmas. There was never a frantic thought that the stores might be sold out of bubble-pipes or long underwear. Then there was the symbolic significance, though we didn't even know the meaning of either word then, There was the church concert, usually held in the Sunday school hall. There were games and carols and choirs. There were the telegrams from Santa Claus, read aloud periodically, and with mounting excitement, to say that he was getting closer and closer, from the North Pole, though Donder had come up lame. Then the entry of himself, the wild clamour, and the dispensing of those string bags with candy and an apple in each. And the Christmas pageant in the church, the nativity scene, invariably broken up by a tiny angel piping, "Hi, Mommy. Looka me. I'm a angel," while Mommy blushed deeply between embarrassment and pride. I still look forward to Christ- mas, but there's a difference. It's about the difference with which a prisoner would look forward to (a) getting out of jail, or (b) going to the electric chair. Nowadays we anticipate Christmas, all right. But what we look forward to is a hectic, ex- pensive scramble, with precious little of the mystery and delight remaining. The Christmas turkey is now just a dirty great bird that has to be stuffed and then stuffed into us, and then cleared up after. A turkey today is not a gruesome, frscinating thing hanging head —WM Amalgamated 1924 With rain pounding furiously on the window, it is hardly con- ducive to penning a Christmas message. However, this is our final column for the year ac- cording to the calendar, although it hardly corresponds with the weather. At any rate, Christmas will be upon us in only nine short days, and those of us who have been duped by the weather into neglecting the chores of the season, will have a great deal of work to do. But the hustle and bustle of the last few days is enjoyable and we think those who do their Christmas shopping at the January sales miss out on a great deal of the atmosphere, regar- dless of the weather. + + + It's a great time of the year, although it must be remembered that the benefits are derived in relation to the amount one ,ex, pends (not necessarily spendi). You get out what you put in. Those who enjoy Chriitmas most are those prepared to bring the most enjoyment to others and anyone who complains 'and • grumbles merely gets repaid in kind. The season is not entirely magical. It helps release some of the inert kindness and concern buried deep within most people, but it still requires some human exertion. A smile will bring forth a smile and a frown will bring forth a frown; a verbal greeting will bring forth a verbal response and silence will be returned. The choice is yours. + + + Those of us with small children, of course, have little difficulty becoming enthused over the season. There's been a daily "count- down to Santa" since the first of the month, although our oldest lad is having some problems. We gather from remarks, that he's been advised about the realities of the jolly visitor, but he ob- viously doesn't want to believe it. He looks suspiciously at the fire place and realizes there's no way Santa can get down through that small aperture But he's down in the woodshed, by its claw-like feet. It's just something you buy and stick in the freezer, anytime during the year, in case you have unexpected weekend guests. Shopping has changed im- measurably. The panic button is pushed about the end of October and we are warned, shouted at, and scorned by the various media until we have a tremendous guilt feeling if we're not Christmas shopping by mid-November. The agonizing decisions are still there, but most people have some money now, which quadruples the decisions. Every year, at our house, we firmly decide, about Dec. 1st, that there will be no gifts or cards this year. And every year at the last minute we plunge into an orgy of both and wind up Christmas Day feeling ...that we were right in the first place. Every year, the big problem is What To Buy Grandad, It's not that he is The Man Who Has Everything. The trouble is that he's The Man Who Doesn't Need Anything. He doesn't smoke or drink. His slippers are good as new. And he has at least six shirts in his bottom drawer, not even unwrapped, bought on previous desperate birthdays and Christmases, The symbolic significance is still there, of course, And the Christmas concerts and — Please turn to page 5 reassured that the door provides ample room and that ends the questioning from that standpoint. The deep conviction and belief displayed by his younger brothers is also reassuring. + + + The past year has been another banner one at the Batten household, and looking back through the pages of the T-A we note with pleasure it has been, in general, a good year for most of our readers. We can't recall any major controversies which domineered our pages for the past 52 weeks; indicating that perhaps we have been living in harmony or that there have been no rebels in our midst to Shake the boat, so to speak. That may appear good to most, although it does not necessarily lead one to draw that conclusion, Sometimes we need someone to shake the boat and stir us up to do some serious thinking about those things which affect our daily lives. Changes - even those for the better -never come about without a great deal of public discussion, debate and even outcry. So. perhaps that lack in the pastyear suggests we have not been convinced enough of the need to make the changes for the better that are evident about us. + + + Last year we urged our readers to make a new year's resolution to write at least one letter to the editor on something which has stirred them, whether it be pro or con. Unfortunately, few of you followed our suggestion, and it 50 YEARS AGO One hundred and thirty members of the South Huron Choral Society presented Han- del's "Messiah" Thursday and Friday evening at James Street Methodist Church. Members come from all the surrounding towns and villages. Early Saturday morning burglars entered the store of Messrs. Jones and May and stole numerous articles of mer- chandise valued at $150. Entrance was made by breaking a rear window. Tuesday morning while T. H. Newell was cranking a car the crank slipped and a sharp edge hit him on the cheek causing a couple of stiches to close, A couple of scuffing boys went through one of the large end panes of glass in Mr. Saxon Fitton's jewellery store on Saturday night. 25 YEARS AGO Mr. Stanley Tudor presented the Huron-Perth cup to Hensall Baseball Team at a banquet in the New Commercial Hotel, Hensall, Exeter council have purchased a tractor and snowplow to keep the sidewalks clean through the winter. The Cubs under the leadership of Jean Brock and Margaret Melville and Assistant Scout- master Ross Tuckey held a Christmas banquet at the arena Wednesday evening. The Dashwood Businessmen's Club have arranged , to bring Santa Claus to Dashwood on Christmas Eve after the church service. The severe storm that swept through this district Thursday evening completely demolished a storage building at the Huron Lumber Company, may be a bit of a poor sign that a mouldy pie created more dialogue than any other situation in the past 52 weeks. We don't suggest you have to start a controversy. Constructive criticism or even outright ap- preciation for some event or action can be publicly aired. In the hope that repetition pays off, we're suggesting the same resolution this year. + + + In closing, we wish to extend sincere thanks to those who have made this another banner year for this newspaper. Many have gone out of their way to assist in bringing the news of the area to our readers, hand for this we are most appreciative. We recall one incident that brought forth four telephone calls and it is only through this type of action that we can get on-the-spot news coverage. To our advertisers, of course, go our heartiest thanks. Without their continued support, it would be impossible to publish a newspaper. In the same category are our correspondents and regular news sources who assist us immeasurably. So to one and all, who con- tribute and support us in any way, we pass along our personal greetings for the merriest of Christmas seasons and the best of good health and happiness in the year which lies ahead. Remember, Christmas is what YOU make it! 15 YEARS AGO Over 400 children were treated to candy and a movie in Hensall Saturday after Santa had made his annual visit. Members of Grand Bend fire brigade have raised over $200 for the muscular dystrophy fund of the village. Local Kinettes began the Christmas season by introducing a "sundries wagon" for patients at South Huron Hospital at their December meeting. Employment provided by Hensall's thriving industry, General Coach Works of Canada Limited, has resulted in an eight percent increase in the village's. population. Several groups, including the Brownies and Cubs from RCAF Station Centralia, have dropped in to cheer the patients with songs this week. 10 YEARS AGO Fire Chief Irwin Ford, estimated loss at between $10,000 and $12,000 from the blaze which razed the barns of Roger Mar- chand, Usborne Township, Saturday night. Eric Heywood and Mrs. Douglas Triebner were installed as presidents of the Legion and the Legion Auxiliary Thursday night. At his final council meeting, Mayor Pooley expressed his appreciation to council members for their co-operation during his 10 years on council. A handsome $4,600 organ is the present which Main St. United Church received this Christmas. The Goodison Estate, Wesley Lamport and Mrs, H. Willis each contributed $1,000 towards its purchase. Winners for Exeter's Christ- mas door Competition this year are Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Gould, Mr. & Mrs, Art Prayne and Mr, & Mrs. Fred Illixtable. On His Fourth Annual Visit At the same time Mom and Dad can look at our new line of Trackrnaster Snowmobiles I 4 a