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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1979-03-21, Page 9• L ckiow Sentinel, Wednesday, March 21, 1979 .Page Citizens write protesting bed cuts CONTINUED .FROM P. 8. We- want our beds " left intact. We want -our hospital! Sincerely, A Chettleburgh, Wingham, March 13, 1979. Mr.. Dennis Timbrell. We the people of this community are very much concerned about the closing of active treatment beds. This hospital serves a large area. We have excel- lent facilities and excellent doctors. We do not see why they cannot be used to their fullest potential. Especially I am concerned about the closing of beds in pediatrics. There are not enough beds now to accom- modate the children. My grandson, suffering from pneumonia two weeks ago, was turned away - no avail- able bed. - We trust you will recon- sider your decision and let our hospital operate as effic- iently as it has done in the past. Mrs. Don Robertson. Wingham, March 13, 1979. Hon. Dennis Timbrell, 10th Floor, Hepburn Block, Queen's Park, Toronto, Dear Sir, I wish to convey to you the deep concern I feel over the recent announcement of hos- pital bed closures to the Wingham and District Hos- pital. If Wingham's hospital budget had been excessive, over stated costs, had had a low bed occupancy rate or did not have thehighest quality rating from the prov- incial hospital association then perhaps bed cuts would be valid. But thisis not the case.I am veryproud of our hospital's budget cutting measures over the years. I do feel that these bed closures are unjustified and may even increase health costs because patients will have to be sent to hospitals with much high- er per capita costs. 1 teach in a school 14 miles from Wingham. A surprising number of my students re- ' ceive medical attention from doctors and hospital services supplied in our hospital. Travelling distances are a definite hindrance in this: area when considering hos- pital bed closures and shut downs. We in Wingham want our 14 beds back! Our com- munity needs them. Yours sincerely, Bill Farnell. Wingham, March 13, 1979, Hon. Dennis Timbrell, Ontario Minister' of Health. Dear ,Honourable Sir: As a member of the Wingham area 1 am most deeply concerned with the impending closing of :beds in our hospital. It inmost tragic that a hospital serving such a large area must be cut down. Over the years our family has been served with excellent care from our hospital and it gravely concerns me that in the not too distant future we shall have no, hospital at all. Acres of Memory In recent years, an intense curiosity has developed_. concerning the origin of families - a desire• to find roots. In this respect, Canadian Scottish people have a distinct advantage. There are many records available in the old country to facilitate the search., When I was fishing forstories from Angus, pretendedto know little about the Isle of Skye, that beautiful island in western Scotland, I wanted him; to talk about his grandfather's immigration to.,Canada andthus reveal some of .the romance of that era, which might otherwise have been forgotten.. One day he showed me an old chanter which had been handed down from father to son across the years. There was a small silver crest embedded in the surface - the insignia of the Clan MacLeod. "Is that the, badge of the MacCrimmons?" I asked, knowing perfectly well it was not, • "No, it ain't," he said, fondling the black instrument. "It's the Crest o-' the MacLeods, so it is. They lived at Dunvegan castle, in. the Isle o' Skye. That's what mi father said.,The MacCrimmons, they were bagpipers, an' they played fer the MacLeod chiefs.,, Just in case I minimized the importance of the'name MacCrimmon, Angus -hastened to reassure me, "They were the` finest pipers inthe world - nobody could play the bagpipes better than the MacCrim- - mons. It's true, so it is, an' mi father James, 'e were a great piper : 'e started learnin'. on this 'ere chanter:" It did not take much to maneuver Angus into another story - a tale told to him by his father3:.about the cabin and of course, the treasured chanter. - . When. Niel MacCrimrrren and hisyoung son James first came to find their crown grant, they had underestimated the labour involved in clearing the bush' and building the log cabin. The maples were already crimson. as they worked, on the rodf, and Niel began making plans for suriving the long cold winter: They built a..rough lean-to on the east side of the cabin, with a makeshift loft for fodder. Here the, ox would be sheltered from the prevailing winds. On the north side, Niel fashioned a cupboard -like structure in which to hang meat over winter. In the evenings, both, Niel . and his son read passages from the Bible - a fundamental but essential . part of the lad's .education. There was another study. too, equally important to the tuition of James the .study of the ancient art of piping. To his son, Niel revealed one by one, the secret almost magical talents of his forefathers - the precise position and spacing of the fingers, and the movements .1 to produce the ultimate in the quality ' of the sound. "Discipline ye sel lad, or ye'll no play a pibroch like a MacCrimmon!" Neil repeatedly told his son. James needed no chastising to heed his father's words. At every opportunity and especially when he was left alone, he practiced diligently on the chanter. With winter- approaching, Neil set a6qut stocking his "game house" for the winter. It was"natural that he preferred to hunt deer. In his homeland he had BY D.A. CAMPBELL hunted . often and learned the best methods ; of dressing and hanging the venison. One dull November day, Niel penetrated deep into the bush whilst stalking his prey. It was almost nightfall when he brought down a fine buck. He dressed out the unwanted weight and draped the carcass around his shoulders for` the homeward„ journey;. but which way was the cabin? ' Niel knew that he had to travel in the general direction of north-east, but with .a dark cloudy sky and no way of finding his bearings .hp was completely lost: Eventually, a small break in the clouds al,lpwed a pale watery moon to appear'fvr a few moments. Niel made a quick calculation and struck off in the direction he thouht would lead him home. Back7a1`the "homestead, James began to worry_ His father had never_been so -late rettirning_from the h.unt4,, He sat outside on the cabin steps practicing on the 'chanter. Stumbling through the bush, . Niel could not be certain if he was heading for home or moving away from it. Suddenly as if in a dream, he heard the sounds of the bagpipes - the soul stirring notes of his native land. Drawn towards the music, he realized that he was listening to the music of the MacCrimmons being played by his own son! It is difficult to separate fact from legend, and the real reason why Niel MacCrimmon left his beloved Skye will always remain obscure- MacCrimmon land in the vicinity of Dunvegan Castle was split up in 1838 this is indeed a fact. It is also a fact that countless Scots immigrated 'to the "colonies" because they were evicted from their homes, often by force. ft may well be that Niel arrived in Upper Canada under similar circumstances. Whether or not It is true, being somewhat of a romantic, I like to believe that the,.. grandfather of.. Angus did indeed belong to the family of pipers who once served the chiefs of Clan MacLeod. If my, belief is correct, Niel 'MacCrimmon left the Isle of Skye reluctantly but knowing full well he would never return. His descendants joined the ranks of those proud Canadian Scottish who, whilst dlinging to' their ancient traditions, nevertheless, faithfully served Canada above and beyond the call of duty. The following are two verses of a poem written' 'by Sir Walter Scott and although referring to the Jacobite rebellion of 1;745, seem applicable to this little story. --`Farewell to each cliff on which breakers are foaming; Farewell each dark glen in which red deer are roaming; Farewell lonely Skye, to lake, mountain and river; MacLeod may return, but MacCrimmon shall neve\-. "Too oft shall the note of MacCrimmon's bewailing Be heard when the Gael on their exile are sailing; Dear Land! to the shores. when unwilling we sever; Return, return, return, we shall never." From statistics our hospit- al is operating ' financially, greatly below other hospitals and therefore there should not be any great financial burdento have it carry on without this bed loss, which will drive patients. to larger urban centres for inedical Care. We are most anxious in regard to the eventual loss of our. clinics, nursing school, diagnostic lab and most of all the doctors, who most cer- tainly will not care to locate in a place where hospital facilities are of little use. Bed reduction now, and in the future we will eventually be reduced to the status of a glorified first aid station, malty- miles from the care to which each. and every citizen is entitled. In winter this can cause critical conditions. In additionthecare required in a -more expensively operating hospital will add additional financial burden to the tax- ' payer. Staff who . depend on the hospital for their livelihood will be gradually eased out to join the ranks of the unemployed. It is' most im- portant that you give second thought to this drastic move and act upon it. I Thank you, Yours truly, Mrs. Anna Marie Kieffer,, R.R.#1, Bluevale, Ont. March 13, 1979. Hon. Dennis Timbrell, 10th Floor, Hepburn Block, Queen's Park, Toronto, Ont. M7A 1 R3 Dear Sir: It frightens me to look ahead .and see that if the government of this province is allowed to close. 14 beds in our hospital in 1979, it isthe beginning of the end . It is hard to understand how people unfamiliar with, our geographical area can know the hardships which will be suffered by our citizens as a result. Not only isit a long drive to the nearest city hospital, but in fact • an impossible drive during some days in the winter. • To argue that it is more Letter to the editor To the editor: - The people in Lucknow who are responsible for the annual Tyke hockey tourna- mentare again to be congrat- ulated en doing a top notch job. Every year for the 1a'st i0 years the young hockey players have been treated to good hockey and great hos- pitality. Pleasekeep up the ..good work. Youts'truly, Belgrave Players and Coaches: economical to centralize hos- pital facilities in large urban areas is statistically incor- rect. In our hospital we provide excellent care to the sick and injured for $95 per. day, AS compared to $120 to $300 ' per day in • a city hospital. Our hospital fund tions efficiently, is consist- ently under budget, and is fully accredited. To sacrifice even one life, because there is no bed in our local hospital, is too high a price! This hospital was built by the community, for our comhsunity, and with an average daily census of 78% now we will be unable to serve our citizens with the good medicalcare they -are entitled to if the bed capacity is reduced. Sincerely, ' Mary A. Lee: Wingham, March' 13, 1979. Honourable Dennis Timbrell, I. wish to -'°express my concern along with the many other people in this area as to the closing ' of our hospital beds. 1 am a : registered nurse, active in the hospital until two years ago. I know something of the situation which will result because of this step. Thehospital in this area cannot be assessed in the same way as every other one in the province. We are different in the following ways. 1. We are in a snowbelt area whichcreates travel prob-% !ems from November until March. The cold . weather - often means more illness of certain : types. 2. It is an area of ''a large percentage of senior citizens. They have their own, particu- lar needs. 3. This hospital .in Wingham. .. is run very efficiently„ more so than most. We have many extra services which will deteriorate if, we loseour;. beds. I trust that you will hon- estly and fairly assess the situation again. This letter. touches on only a very few of the reasons why we need to maintain a full hospital. Yours truly, E; Muriel Thompson. Wingham. K & L Refinishing Specializing In the Restoration and Refinishing Of Andques & Planes Chairs Reclined QuiaEity Wodunanskip In any shade or FinishDeslred FREE ESTIMATES Call 528.2625 528-3543 [after 6] Lucknow