Loading...
The Lucknow Sentinel, 1990-02-14, Page 22Page w Bim, may, err 141, 1111 4'N: Plank walking took a new meaning last Saturday as these four participated in the an- nual Luekuow and District Kinsmen's Mushball tournament. Left to right Is Ian Mon-. tgomery, who found this more difficult than driving a Ford; Denim Crich, ;who appears to directing some sort of verbal abuse at the coach, who happened to be hobby Ron. (far right); Tracey McDonagh, who reportedly was heard saying, "this is harder than looking after a bunch of Puddleduckers!"; and -Werke McDonagh; who despite ah the experience he has gained ""walking the floor" ' lately found that commanding "left, right, left" to the tune of Rock -a: Bye Baby worked very well for his team. (Pat Livingston, photo) by Kerry Alma The barking of our dog roused me- ,from deep sleep. Thoughts of dog burgers and other ways of silencing the faithful sen- tiy momentarily crossed my mind and Were discarded as being somewhat severe. Why was she maldng so much noise? It wasn't letting up but it lacked the urgent bay brought on by an intruder. I got up and opened the window to silence the dog when I heard what she was barking at, . From the bush at the back of the farm came the sharp yip of a fox. Male ,or female I didn't know, but I did know it • was one looking for the other. I let the 'dog know that she was appreciated but to ., ensure survival `till mining she'd better shut up. Then T closed the Window and I let my mind wander, Late night thoughts come clear and vivid, so I revelled in the wonders of spring. Out in the bush, a small car- nivore risks discovery by an enemy for a mate. Wiarton Willy wasn't leaving a soft, warm burrow to dg his tummy. on February snow to find It shadow. He was seeking a wife, if only for a little while. Somewhere along the coast of Patagonia a certain penguin searches high and low for the perfect pebble to place at his chosen one's feet. What have 1 done lately? For complex organisms that mate for life, the challenge of keeping a relation-: ship fresh should take up more of our Bruce County Board of Education Accept contract CdiES1,EY—Bruce County's 256 sem will .east the 'board about dary school teachers have accepted a #+ ,000 during tils contract aloins. two-year contract that will give them a "That's a coat that says with you," he 5.7 per cent pay bike in the first year, said. The first year *cream is on asp t With 80 per cent of the board'as budget rid, with a 4.7 pec cent hike effective gotng to Plinio and beneflta, Gatis sold 1, 19M and another one per that 80 xer cent as what the board has to cent effective January 8, 1990. In the se- attack it wants to reduce tax increases. cosnd year of the contract, salary in- "It didn't happen in this contract, in creases will be ane -hall per cent above mY nos." the consumer price index increase. Eagleson said Gatis' estimate of the "In'n year two we've taken a big step by coat of new staff is. "not right" and said ' tying the percetltage increases to the na- the extra guidance. and library staff are . A tional index," Frank Eagleson, needed for "equality in the schools." negotiating cam, told trustees at "Not all schools have these services," their in Mosley on February 6. he said. "Students need them to promote Eagleeon oleo- outlined benefit increases n their life-styles." included inthe contract, Among them are Teachers federation president, Lenore improved extended, health and vision Alexander wouldn't release results bf the care, dental, and long-term disability ratification vote,but said there was a plans with, the board tiungg its share large turnout for the vote in Part Bien of the premiums. Teachers ill also now Monday sb�t, and the'contract got a get leave to attend family graduations. heavy show of support from those who eson said the contract will cost the cast ballots. $664,000 in the first year. Cost of "We did come to a fair deal. I strong-, the second year was not available. ' ly believe that," Alexander told trustees. "I'm not going • to predict interest. and The teachers' last contractexpired inflation rates." • August 31, 1989. Since then negotiations The new contract alio allows more. time off for department heads• to attend toadministrative duties, and increases. staff for the guidance tl library, . depart- oust. ,. meats. That translates into eight new . Under the contract, teachers' basic teachers to be hired: during the two-year salaries now range from $25,658 to term. Trustee Ron Gatis protested to the Provision, have no problem with the increases, have involved one rejected offer, ,a ,fact finder's report anda marathon session in January when the deal was hammered 6W 134. Estimates are 60 per cent of the• bord's teachers are in the group four or highest salary range, with 75 per cent of those. having 10 to 11 years experience but it's sheer nonsense to go on adding and qualified for the top salaries. Respon- two or three teacherseevery year," he . sibility allowances for jobs such as said. It's also nonsense to claim that it department ent bead and -county coordinator benefits students. •I'll support you now, can add between $1,872 and.: 610,811 to but this, has got to stop.". ; ' those salaries, while principals will. earn Lagar, Gatis estimated the new staffing a maximum of $71,368 in the first year of the contract. • mriucshiball but.the hard a ball: Mild conditionsput a sdigbt' damper on prove Ilia—dexterity of participating the annual Kinsmen's Mushball tourna- meinbers on each team. Walidng the .. menu last weekend, butnot for long. • plank took on a different meaning as the •Members of the `club were .prepared is ' captains of the ship bellowed "left, right, the event the weather was not left" to their mates on the plank. Some ;cooperative and had three different were able to follow instructions, as long events lined up for„ the:. 12 teams who as they were headed in a straight line. . were chomping at the bit to compete with Turning the corner around the pylon and one another. heading back forthe finish line proved to Tugof-war under slightly muddy condi- be the downfall of a few teams.. tions made for interesting looking attire following each pull. The floor hockey The dance in the evening was well at-•. series proved to. be interesting, but the tended wrapping up another successful plank walk had to be the one event to weekend for the local Kinsmen club. A walk down memory lane • time thanit does.. Remember your teenage years? Pimples appearing the afternoon of date night were much more traumatic than news of a coup' d'etat in a distant country. My mind took a; left turn and wandered down a memory I hadn't visited .in quite some time. High school years were upon me. Sports and cars and the farm work took. up all the time that school didn't. Girls were plentiful, but beyond my financial resources. Being- a practical sort, I never spent much time speculating on the tmaf- fordable, But 'then SHE .came .atbng. I had ' been to my locker 'between classes and was just closing the door when r noticed I was being noticed. She was walking towards me, holding her books low in front of her, wrists crossed. Her elbows . Were tucked close to her sides, shoulders slightly hunched, head tilted just a little. Her small, even teeth nibbled thoughtfully on her lower lip. She was looking at me. At ME? I glanced over my shoulder to make sure. Yep, at me. Now what? - She seemed to float towards. me. The world tilted.' My peripheral vision. departed; she was in focus, all else blur- red. The happy chatter of the high school hallway faded to a distant hum as my heart, thumping in my ears, became so loud that she must have heard it too. She stopped before me, hereyes widened a little as I felt myself falling into their blue; blue depths. couldn't breathe I � deeply lam y enough.. • I was sure my voice would crack as I said, ""Hello. Aren't you in Connors' history. seminar?" It came • out smooth and easy. She nodded. "Want to walk together?" I asked. It was wonderful, my voice box and everything seemed to work just fine, while my head reeled, knees shook and heart and stomach took . turns diling. backflips. She slanted a glance up at me as we strolled and chatted. There was nothing else in all creation, only her. She led me, into the. classroom. Left to my own devices I'd have -walked into a wall. Now it became imperative to impress her. Ancient history became fascinating because she was there. I bad to say everything I knew, felt, or had read about; I had to be good - for her. I car- ried the ball past absurd arguments, my logicfaultless, my wit insurmountable, and my intuitive dialogue brought in- sights never heard before, or since. I just had to - she was there: After class she made comment that I'd over done it m a couple of areas and maybe we could discuss • it further at lunch tomorrow. A'ww right! Slowly, slowly the world returned to focus. I was able to complete my day's tasks without serious injury. I don't recall the bus ride home, my mind was rerembe her. Details Of, herneck, bowed in concentration, came in- to sharp focus. Her ear seemed so vulnerable as she pushed her hair back. That subtle fragrance and her clear smooth voice . were etched forever into memory.. • I had happened upon the female of the species! My life was forever transform- ed. I found I knew, oh, so . very little of the wonderful workingsof the female mind; how totally incomprehensible their , logic is to mere man. Everything around me took on special significance, each blade of grass a richer green, a daisy fairly burst with colour. It was magic, and she was everywhere. • Of course reality forced itself into its rightful place in my life. We spent a glorious summer walking in pastures that all seemed to have wild flowers. The rain was always gentle and warm. Every night the moon shone just for us. Then careers and education caused our paths to diverge, never to come together again, We parted asifriends and she will always hold a piece of my heart, however smelt. I came out of my journey and turned to look at the lady that promised to share my life forever. The years have added some silver to her tresses but have never diminished her joy of life. She is the mother of my children and the one per- son I'll never be able to do without. "Shoot the dog," she said sleepily. Editor's note: • .Kerry Alma is a pseudonym.