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Huron Expositor, 2001-01-03, Page 4Opinion 4-T110 IMMO EXPOSITOR. 410exastry 10, 2001 ,.`4 • I `4‘ 0 Your Community Newspaper Strias 1860 Terri -Lynn Had - Publisher Pat Armes - Office Manager Scott Hilgendorff - Editor Dims WcGtli • SubsaipioIs/dossieds Susan Hurtdertmark - Reporter Katrina Dietz - Sales Anne Roden - Distribution Bowes Publishers Limited Searfery,JSrMidi Glowr•-AQrsGaon" E-mail us at seaforihObowesnet.00m Visit our home page at www.seatorthhuronexpositor.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 32.50 a year, in advance, pus 2.28 G.S.T. SENORS; - 30.00 a year, in advance, plus 2.10 G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 28.44 a year in advonoe, plus $78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRWT10N RAZES: Published weekly by S gnal-Sio► Pubkshirg at 11 Main 5t., Seaforth. Publication mai registration No. 0696 held at Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is accepted on corndilian that in the event of a lypogrcpiwaal error, the advenisng space ooa+pied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance For signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the appCoable rase. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and maybe withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is riot responsrbls for the loss or dcen age of unsokcised manuscripts, photos or oda materiels used for reproduction purposes. Charges of address, orders for subscriptions and urndelnarnble copies ore to be sent 10 The Huron Expositor. Wednesday, January 3, 2000 IdIlerlal and 0eeieeaa OMeaa - 11 •i Wreef.,lealeel` 1uMylaae 1510) 527-0240 Fan (510) 527-1010 ,China - RO. Ben N, Oaearlie, ISOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Comrnunrly Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association Pubfkation Mai Registration No. 07605 "Wb odaiowledge the financialof the Government of Canada, die Publicationso�&admift Program (PAP), award our g cods." Editorial Trucks must better learn to share winter roads With a return to a traditionally hard winter, the challenges of driving area highways is going to be greater this winter. But making it even harder is the substantially increased truck traffic that now shares those roads. Motorists are often asked to take care in how they share the roads with trucks. They often follow too close, making it difficult for truckers to know there are vehicles behind them. They also cut truckers off, forgetting the heavier vehicles can't stop as quickly when a car suddenly decides to make a tum in front of an oncoming truck. But while motorists are asked to take care, now it's time to ask for more care from the truckers who are making winter roads even more dangerous to travel. Drivers need to be prepared for the sudden whiteouts a passing truck can leave in its woke or the burst of air pressure as they go by, making it harder to keep control of a vehicle on a slippery road. These are issues truck drivers can't do anything about. However, they can do something about the speed in which they travel the area highways. When weather conditions have left snow and ice on the road, trucks have much extra weight that allows them to travel more quickly without fear of losing control. Yet several have jacknifed on area roads and the 400 series highways as a result of travelling too fast even for their bulk and weight. And in their haste, trucks ore often crossing the centre line forcing vehicles into slushy sections of road or deeper snow on shoulders, forting them into ditches. They need to slow down and truck companies need to be encouraged to cut some slack to drivers who are hurrying to get their loads delivered on time, no matter how bad the weather is. Police need to get involved issuing Highway Traffic Act tickets for 'speed too fast for road conditions' when they see trucks barreling down the roads rather than waiting to issue fines and charges after the accidents. Trucks and cars alike, all need to slow it down this winter. There's virtually no excuse for ending up in a ditch. Bottom line is, you were probably travelling too fast for the road conditions. Scott Higendorff Letter In an alcoholic family, few holiday are `perfect' Holidays bring out the best and worst in people. For some, the holiday season means family gatherings, special dinners, gifts and lots of celebrating and sharing with each other. For others, along with the fun and festivities, many family members and friends of alcoholics experience drunken scenes, fights, unhappy memories. hopelessness, despair and loneliness. In the real world, few holidays are "perfect." In an alcoholic family, it is most likely that none are. I remember holiday dinners followed by games of charades, highlighted by my drunken mother staggering through her turn to play, and everyone pretending that this is normal. Shame, embarrassment, futility and powerlessness were familiar feelings. Sometimes, we become so completely wrapped up in the situation, we don't realize that we need help ourselves. Our own lives become totally focused on the alcoholic - so much so that we don't see it. Sometimes the effects are indirect. In other words, although there is little or no drinking in the immediate family, one of the parent's siblings or parents suffered from alcoholism. Again, without realizing it, this parent may have, for example, a deep need to "be in control" of every situation. The effect on his or her second generation family can be just as devastating as if the alcoholic was living right there. When it was suggested to me that I might have been affected in some of these ways, my first thought was, "No way! I'm not like that." Is that what you're saying now? Are you sure you haven't been affected? Would you answer some questions to verify that you're right? Here are twenty of them. They may provide some insight - they may not. 1. Do you worry about how much someone else drinks? 2. Do you have money problems because of someone else's drinking? 3. Do you tell lies to cover up for someone else's drinking? 4. Do you feel that if the drinker loved you, he or she would stop drinking to please you? 5. Do you blame the drinker's behaviour on his or her companions? 6. Are plans frequently upset or cancelled or meals delayed because of the drinker? 7. Do you make threats, such as, "If you don't stop drinking, I'll leave you?" 8. Do you secretly try to smell the drinker's breath? 9. Are you afraid to upset someone for fear it will sot off a drinking bout? 10. Have you been hurt or embarrassed by a drinker's behaviour? 11. Are holidays and gatherings spoiled because of drinking? 12. Have you considered calling the police for help in fear of abuse? 13. Do you search for hidden alcohol? 14. Do you often ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking? 15. Have you refused social invitations out of fear or anxiety? 16. Do you sometimes feel like a failure when you think of the lengths you have gone to in order to control the drinker? 17. Do you think that if the drinker - stopped drinking, your other problems would be solved? 18. Do you ever threaten to hurt yourself to scare the drinker? 19. Do you feel angry, confused, or depressed most of the time? 20. Do you feel there is no one who understands your problems? If you have answered yes to three or more of these questions, it is very likely that you have been unknowingly affected by somebody else's drinking. And maybe if you're like me when I first answered these questions, the thought that's going around in your head right now is, `I've answered yes to sixteen of these questions, but I'm OK!' Underneath it all, though, I really knew that I was in trouble and that I needed help. Some time went by before I called Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), thinking that this was the thing to do. They told me that there was another program for me called Al -Anon. "Al - Anon?" I questioned. She said, "Yes, Al -Anon is based on the AA program, but it is for the people who have been affected by the person who is drinking." She explained that we are often deeply affected without realizing how deeply, and that Al -Anon can help. She also asked me if there were any teenagers in my family and told me that Alateen is part of Al -Anon, and that if the kids wanted to go, there was help available for them too. Since I've been in Al - Anon, I've discovered that literally millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close. Those of us who have found the Al -Anon program have learned a different way to live. Our problems don't disappear, but we are provided with a wealth of tools to help us cope. "Thankfully someone directed me to Al -Anon," one member told me. "I've had a whole new set of holiday experiences since the program came into my life. The disease of alcoholism is still around me, but I am getting better. Troubles continue, but I am learning to meet them one at a time. Things are not perfect today, but there is a sense of perspective and serenity." Al -Anon gives the family members and friends of alcoholics the gift of hope. There are Al -Anon and Alateen meetings in our communities, with wonderful members there to reach out to those suffering during these holiday times, and any other time too. In 2001,, Al -Anon celebrates 50 years of helping families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. Alateen, though it hasn't been around for 50 years yet, has been just as effective for young people affected by an alcoholic. There are now nearly 30,000 Al -Anon and Alateen groups in 115 countries. Could we be doing something right? If you think it's worth checking out, here's where you can find us in the area we call Ontario South (roughly Windsor to Montreal, and Niagara Falls to Timmins). 1. Get extensive information about Al -Anon, Alateen and upcoming events (including our area convention - Trillium 2001) from our Ontario South web site: http://an- anon.alateen.on.ca. 2. If you are not close to one of the local numbers below, call 1-888-425-2666. London: 519-672-7310 You can call our Literature Distribution centre at 905- 770-1060. Visit the World Service web site at www.al- anon.alateen.org First snowmobile arrives in Seaforth January 7, 1876 During the occasion of the recent anniversary services in First Presbyterian Church of town, John H Broadfoot took advantage of the event to present to the congregation a handsome and valuable circular table for use in front of the pulpit platform. During the past week several farmers in the vicinity have been plowing. We also learn that Thos. Govenlock of McKillop was busily engaged in making maple sugar. The soiree in the Presbyterian Church in, Kippen was a grand success. Rev. Mr. Cameron occupied the choir. The Seaforth chair was in attendance while Miss M. Foster presided at the organ. MMIss Hall, late of Goderich Township, near Bayfield, and now Mrs. Govenlock, Winthrop, was surprised on her wedding morning by a present of a set of handsome vases and a letter cae from Sabbath Gloss at Bayfield. The elections for councillors in this Township of McKillop created considerable interest. In Word 2, John Malone was elected by a majority of 42 over Mr. Bell. At a meeting at the schoolhouse No. 2 Tuckersmith, a grange in connection with the Patrons of Husbandry was formed. January 4, 1901 One of the few remaining pioneers of Turner's section vin Tuckersmith passed away In the person of James Crkh. Deceased was born in Nottingham, England. Mrs. David Rite of Sheldon Nb. Dark were guests of Mr. Thos. Coleman who enlertaned Mrs. Rife of Nis. to a fowl supper. Years agone... At the annual meeting of the ratepayers of 55. No. 8 McKillop a resolution was passed. Mr. Thos. McQuade for the very efficient manner in which he conducted the school, Mr. McQuade has resigned for the purpose of pursuing his studies at the normal school. The Grand Forks, No. Oak, Herald makes reference to the marriage of James Murray, former Seaforth boy and graduate of the Expositor. The bride was Elizabeth Gaffney of Cleveland and they were married in Fargo by Rev. Vance. James Archibald of town shipped a carload of fine horses to the Old Country. The skating and curling is going again at full blast. W.Mcoougall the obliging lessee has furnished good ice. The concert given by the 33rd regiment band in Carndo's Hall on New Year's night wds a most decided success. Miss Grace McFault was in excellent voice and the solos by W.G. Willis were heartily appreciated. Wil Mcleod's comic songs brought down the house. Miss Lula Best made her debut as an elecutionist. An address was made by Col. Alex Wilson. The Scotch concert given by Miss lila Cole at Staffa was an entire success. January 1, 1926 Miss Anona Dale, teacher at No. 11 Stephen Township was presented with o solid leather club bog. Miss Dale is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Dole, Huron Rd West. There will be a domination in McKillop as the Reeve and councillors were reelected by acclamation. Wallace Sholdice of Walton went to Nuestadt as relieving agent for the holidays. Word was received here that Mrs. John Cameron had been fatally injured by being struck by an automobile in West Palm Beach, Florida. W.A. Crish had delivered to him in Seaforth the first snowmobile to be used in Westem Ontario. Sunday morning last the thermometre registered 18 below zero. EA. McIntosh left for Peru SA. on a business trip. January 5, 1951 When a pole on which he was working broke, John Modeland well known electrician of Tuckersmith, was thrown to the ground. He suffered cuncussion and o broken jaw. A very enjoyable euchre was held in the Egmondville Public School to help finance the Egmondville hockey team. The secretary treasurer announced that this money would buy hockey sticks and a first aid kit. Members of the Seaforth Fire Brigade nominated John F. Scott as chief. The meeting also named Frank Case, foreman, John C.Crich as assistant foreman, Angus Mclean secretory and John C. McKenzie, treasurer. Fire destroys Hens mill. The loss exceeds $150,000. A new structure MI replace i1. • Thos. R. Guff, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Cluff and manager of the Dominion Bank at Atikokan, received honourable mention in a newspaper article appearing recently In the Globe and Mail about the town of Atikokan. January 1, 1976 There are several openings for an important job in Seaforth. The only requirements are the the applicants be Seaforth residents who are interested in recreation. Recreation director Clive Buist and the 1975 town recreation committee are looking for new members. The planning board had star billing when Huron County Council met for its final 1975 meeting In the county chambers. The implementation of the Countryside Planning Reportwas the main item for debate and it took the entire morning for county councillors to discuss it Does anyone remember David Manson? His great grandson, David Crombie of Maryville, California, in an effort to find traces of his ancestors, has addressed a letter to the Hon. Mayor of E Wm. J. RR 4 Walton, was elected president of the Huron County Plowmen's Association at McKillop Haiti, Winthrop on Monday afternoon. He succeeds John Mork, RR 5 Goderkh. An additional $100 is required to meet the cost of main street Christmas decorations. Merchants and professional people In Seaforth have contributed $490 but the decorations cost $574.02 according to the Chamber of Commerce committee that was responsible for the decoration program. Barry Moore, 10, of Egmont e, had more than usual to smile about this Christmas. He won first prize in the Expositor's Christmas colouring contest.