Zurich Citizens News, 1981-07-15, Page 4Page 4
atl:ins N.ws July 16, 1961
Miscellaneous
Rumblings
By
ROB CHESTER
It has been very hard to work these past few
days, when my thoughts have been quite naturally
straying to cooler venues — like a beach.
I convinced myself that the beach at St. Joseph
was newsworthy enough to be worth a trip, and
camera in hand I set out — to go to work.
I don't know what I expected to find —
irrefutable evidence of some gigantic beer -bash or
undissipated clouds of thick marajuana smoke, or
perhaps the tell-tale signs of an orgie imprinted on
the sand — but did add some facts to the story.
Residents complained to Hay Council last week,
about wild parties on the beach. I suspect they went
to the right place as it would seem only the locals
know how to find the public beach at St. Joseph.
I drove down an assortment of gravel tracks,
washouts. and elephant trails until I found what
must be the much rumoured township road.
The road took a zig and a zag but eventually a
pile of concrete — rubble prevented me from driv-
ing into the lake.
On a post. a small sign declared the land public
beach.
The sky and lake were competing to see which
could come up with the prettiest shade of blue.
Whisps of white clouds and fine white foam flecked
sky and water.
My ears were soothed and assaulted by white
noise — the sound that in its volume and regularity
is infinitely calming.
I had little motivation to work as it was but I
had come to walk the beach, to observe — did it
matter to my journalistic integrity if I had my
shoes on or not? I carefully investigated that part of
the shoreline where my feet would be caressed and
cooled with every sloshing wave.
I saw a few broken beer bottles but little
evidence of any major disturbance.
I was struck too by how clean the beachactually
was.
Being used to salt water beaches I expected to
see all matter of flotsam swept up onto the shore —
bits of old boats, seaweed, dead things of every
description, and lumps of thick congealed oil from
countless tanker spills.
The water was clean; the sand smooth and red-
dish, interspersed with patches of worn gravel.
Steep eroded hills curved upwards from the beach,
and deposits of smooth, clear, dark -grey clay were
licked by the gentle w4es.
I was almost shoc4d by the cleanliness — the
almost antiseptic aspect of the beach.
A salt water beach is home to million of
creatures. A half hour on a beach can show you the
life cycle in a microcosm. Birth, death, the chase,
the capture — all aspects are portrayed by the
teeming animals.
Seagulls and the odd insect were the only
animal life I saw here.
My investigation of activities on the beach had
stretched to an all too lazy, all too long, afternoon.
The beach is a beautiful place to relax and unwind.
Parties too are a great way to relax and un-
wind.
I've done my share of walking and enjoying
beaches. I've done my fair share of drinking and
drug taking and acting wild and crazy when strung
out.
From the point of view of an observer and par-
ticipant I must agree with a local politian who said
some people will do anything — under dope.
The elements of destructiveness are also in-
dications of self destruction. If the threats continue
the beach may be closed to us all.
I suspect though the beach itself is intoxication
enough for most people. I felt a tremendous desire
Published Each Wednesday By J.W. Eedy Pubfkatlons Ltd.
Member:
Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association
Ontario Weekly
11.
Newspapers Association
News Editor Rob Chester
Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385
Subscription Rates: $8.50 per year in advance in Canada 519.50 per year outside Canada
Single copies 254
to cast myself, adrift on the lake's winds and
currents.
To bring this full circle: the lake, the water, is
tied to the creation and destruction of life and to
man: the parties in their way create relaxation and
let off steam for their participants, but also border
on their own destruction; and me, standing on the
warm wet sand — I wanted to build a sand castle to
create something that did not exist before, then to
watch it wash away one wave at a time....
Some good things like beaches, like life, can be
lost as easily.
Advise common
sense for
summer safety
With School Out many are planning their
summer vacations and back yard activities. The
Ontario Safety League has some suggestions which
could assist everyone in having a fun suthmer.
When using barbecue starter fluid follow the in-
structions on the can. Once the coals have started
burning, don't try to hurry them along with an extra
squirt — the result could prove explosive. Keep
children and pets away from the fire and be sure
you're not down -wind when cooking as a spark or
flare-up could ignite your clot. Barbecues and
hibachis are intended for outd r cooking, not as a
heating unit for the cottage or tent on a cool even-
ing. Most combustibles emit some degree of lethal
carbon monoxide and in a poorly ventilated area it
takes only a few minutes for the CO level to reach
the danger Zone.
Use a little common sense in the sun. Even if the
sun's rays are dispersed by fog or haze you can still
get a serious burn if you're exposed for too long.
Remember too that wind can easily deceive you
into mistaking the sun's intensity. Limit your first
exposure of the season to 15 minutes and protect all
sensitive areas with an extra application cif lotion or
moisturizer.
If you are going on vacation let the police and a
neighbour know thatY
You'll be away. Cancel all
deliveries, mail, newspapers, milk etc. until your
return and ask a neighbour to gather up any cir-
culars and junk mail from your front door. A wise
investment is an automatic timer for lights and
radios. Double check all'windows and doors before
you go and remember' to leave your shades up.
Have a happy summer' holiday by using common
sense.
Thamesville Herald