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The Rural Voice, 1985-11, Page 76ALFRED KNECHTEL SPRAY PAINTING LIMITED Airless Spray Painting — Specialists in Farm Building Free Estimates (519) 669-2638 R.R. 2 Wallenstein, Ont. filir:141r Hampshires and Durocs Registered. R.O.P.. Breeding Stock Purebred and Crossbred LODON ACRES Don Johnson & Sons R.R. 2, Mildmay 519-367.2111 Rte. LIMITED BUILDING A HOME? REPLACING OLD WINDOWS? TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR FANTASTIC SALE OF BRAND NEW WINDOWS VARIOUS SIZES & STYLES CASEMENT - AWNING - PICTURE WINDOWS - SHEET GLASS 0 $10.00 per 24 x 70 & 30 x 72 (size approx.) FALL SPECIALS on Used boilers, gas and oil furnaces USED PIPE — STEEL BUILDING MATERIALS FOR SALE. CALL NEIL AT 519-369-3203 LOCATED 5 KM. S. OF DURHAM ON HWY. 6 58 THE k'IRAL VOICE ALWAYS CHANGING Me, Willie, and Farm Aid All right, I'll admit it now. Maybe country singer Willie Nelson doesn't read The Rural Voice. But don't you think it was quite a coincidence that three weeks after I revealed my idea of organizing a Farm Aid concert, Willie Nelson came up with exactly the same plan? He may have taken my idea, but I guess it's not so bad to know that you think on the same wavelength as someone like Willie Nelson. We're alike in other ways. His hair is as long as mine, and I sometimes wear a headband where I'm working too. Well, Willie, if you are reading my column this week, I think somebody beat us both to the punch. Just as I sat down with my pen in hand ready to plan a Canadian version of Farm Aid, I heard on the radio that some- one is already planning one. Don't worry, Willie. I'm sure they'll invite you. But I'm afraid chances aren't so good for me to receive an invitation. I'll polish up my guitar just in case. Where of all places do you think they are planning to host the concert but in my town: Stratford. At least I've coined a phrase before anybody else dreamed one up. Since the Shakespearean theatre where they are planning to host the event represents "culture," I have just the right word. Mayor Ted Blowes will be able to say that Stratford is where Agri -Culture fused. Willie, I think you should know this too. The Stratford Festival has its own design on the concert. If it does host the event, it will split ticket receipts 50-50 with farmers. The festival's share would help to reduce its own gigantic $2.8 -million deficit. Even though I am a proud Strat- ford resident, I have a few reserva- tions about the choice of Stratford Festival Theatre as the site of the Farm Aid concert. First of all, the seating capacity of the theatre is ap- proximately 3,200. I would hope that there are many more than 3,200 peo- ple in Canada who would want to support an event for farmers in per- son, and at the same time see a group of their favourite singers and actors. If only 3,200 people can attend the concert, will the tickets be so expen- sive that only the elite can afford to attend? Maybe you'll have to buy mine for me, Willie. The other concern I have is about the atmosphere of the theatre. Would music fans be able to shout and dance in the aisles of the theatre as they did at the American concert on a univer- sity campus? Why not hold the con- cert at the University of Guelph cam- pus? Or better yet, how about sharing the home of the Blue Javc in Toronto. I'm sure the Blue Jays' home is big enough, and besides, people are ac- customed to showing enthusiasm there. Nevertheless, the proposed series of 24-hour Canadian Farm Aid telethons would be televised. I think that's a great idea. I wish I had thought of it, Willie. I truly enjoyed watching the American Farm Aid show. Willie, one of your remarks was so touching that I don't think I'll ever forget it. You said that just as the American bald eagle — a beautiful, free -wheeling bird — is becoming extinct, so will the farmer if we don't do something. Public service announcements made for the Farm Aid concert were very effective. They told everyone what farming is all about. I think it would be wonderful if the Canadian Federation of Agriculture or even Agriculture Canada purchased the American commercials to run on Canadian television. The an- nouncements would speak volumes to consumers. Willie, just in case you're reading my column this month, and assuming you are involved in the Canadian Farm Aid effort, I'll volunteer to help. If you need any ideas about how to distribute the money to farmers, or what to name the concert, or which singers and actors to invite, don't hesitate to call. I've been thinking about the details for weeks now. ❑ PFn'llis Coulter lives in Stratford and is news editor for The Rural Voice.