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Times Advocate, 1994-10-12, Page 18Page 18 Times -Advocate, October 12, 1994 1 ., 4441 Guest columnist Val Thomson The information highway or the gravel road? There was a story on the new the other night about the infor !nation highway and its effect on people. To the hest of my knowledge, the information highway is a term used to de- scribe a system that links such things as computers, video mon- itors, phones and fax machines, all together. It allows people to have access to all the information and forms of communication necessary to carry on a business or a job. It enables people to work in their homes as if they were actually at the office of their particular business. The story told how a fellow who lived on Cape Breton Is- land was able to work as an en- gineer for a Halifax company, without even leaving his home. For him it meant he didn't have to move away from the island he loved living on and was also home with his family a lot more. Another case described a woman who lived on an island in the Bay of Fundy who was able to work as a broker for a fishery plus run a tourist busi- ness. She had 12 phones, two fax machines, two computers and various other devices. She admitted to being somewhat ad- dicted to the technology and had to get away from it every so of- ten ften because she felt as if it was controlling her. This was the issue the story was trying to raise. Are all these technological advances good or bad? Do we control technology or does it control us?Of course, there are arguments for both sides. Technology can be an amazing and wonderful thing but becoming a slave to it is def- initely a bad thing. Getting hook d. on•4t:.jo;, .point- where you' believe -you have to have the* things in order to survive is not good either. A little while ago, I heard someone mention the phrase, "afraid of technology" and for some reason I kept thinking about that phrase. I began to wonder why it struck such a chord in me. I decided to take an inventory of the more com- mon technological advances I s snake use of. First of all a list of the ones s don't use: we have no computer no dishwasher, no answering machine, no CD player, no cam corder and no mini van. We have no Nintendo system or Sega or whatever and our kids' shoes do not light up. I haven't used a fax machine and I've nev- er even used a banking machine. Gosh, maybe I AM afraid of technology. We have one telephone with no options other than an extra long cord that the kids can get tangled up in. It also enables me to get to the kids to break up the fights that inevitably break out whenever i'nm on the phone. We have a microwave oven with lots of different functions but it's used mainly for thawing and reheating. We have one TV and the remote control has as many buttons as an accordion but we only use six of them. Once upon a time, we had two TVs and neither of them would work unless they were both on. Don't ask me why. So we ran both TVs for quite a while. One Saturday evening, our friends Bruce and Shirley came over. When it came time for the hock- ey game, Cliff turned on the TVs and we continued chatting away and watching the game. After a while, Shirley very po- litely asked, ""Is there some rea- son why we are watching two televisions?" Cliff and I were so used to it that it never occurred to us to mention or explain it. Now, back to the inventory. That's about it except for the VCR which we didn't actually buy. My brother left it here be- cause it was in need of repair and it was too much bother for .h m to get it fixed when they're on the road all the time. So, he said if we wanted to get it re- paired, we could have it. Not a very extensive list, is it? Now it's time to examine some of the reasons. They're quite simple really. Cost is the obvi- ous one and the other is that we just don't feel these things are necessary. People are forever telling us what we need. We've been told we need a phone in the barn, but I who wants to answer the phone , in the middle of milking cows? Our accountant often suggests - that a computer would be a great way to handle our books. This same accountant was quite eager to show us his new car that started by remote control. He went to our back door, aimed his remote and pressed the button. Nothing happened. Seems the more gadgets you have, the more things you have that need fixing. I'm not against computers. I'm sure they are very handy once you figure them out and if they're not 'down'. However, I'll never understand why com- puterized invoices and receipts have to be printed out on paper that is at least one metre long. People have told me I should have a computer to do my writ- ing on but the price is enough to keep me using my manual type- writer for now. Besides, some- one has to keep the makers of 'white-out' in business. I haven't used a banking ma- chine because I've never felt the need and I rather like going into the bank to say hello to the peo- ple who work there. Some forms of technology depersonal- ize our lives and our world. That was one of the draw- backs mentioned in the story on the news. The man who worked out of his home said he missed actually being with the people whom with he worked. It's hard to get the same sense of cama- raderie through machines. The information highway might be great for some people but is not a route I would want to travel very often. To me, it is too much like a busy freeway. The most memorable and pleas- ant drives often happen when we get off the beaten path and take a slower but more scenic route. You can accuse me of being afraid of technology if you like, but given the choice between the information highway and the gravel road, I know which one I'd rather take. Stan Lee Seniors meet for euchre There were enough players for 11 tables. By Joan Beierling VARNA - The October 5th meeting of the Stan Lee Seniors was held•at the Complex at 8 p.m. with 11 ta- bles of euchre players. Everyone enjoyed 11 games be- fore a lovely lunch was served by the members from Goderich. Anna Keys chaired a short meeting after lunch. The 19th Zone 8 Rally will be on Thursday, October 13 in Seaforth Legion. Registration will be from 11:30 to 12:15 p.m. at a fee of $3 per person. Lunch is to be served from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The November meeting will be conducted by Marg and Mery Hayter with guest speakers Mr. and Mrs. Bell of Varna. It was decided to have the Christmas meeting as din- ner at the Blue Fountain. Winners in euchre with pink cards were Joyce Wil - Jeri of Hensall, and Bertha Taylor, Varna; with white cards Elmer Hayter, Varna and Muriel Lockhart, Goderich. Lone hands was Bernice Reid, Varna and Ina Neeh, Zurich. Door prizes went to Sheldon Wein, Zurich, Ina Neeb, Zurich. The birthday closest was Helen Pep- per's, Brucefield and Elmer Hayter had the lucky chair. UCW The Varna U.C.W. women held their October meet- ing at the home of Eleanor McAsh with the president opening with a poem "October Party". The treasurer reported more cookbooks are to be ordered if anyone is in need of Christmas presents. Keep saving those Campbell Soup labels. There is a bridal shower to be held for Julie Boyce on October 12 at the Varna Church and the Varna women are catering to Julie's wedding supper on November 19. Varna women are also invited to Bayfield Fall Thankoffering. New legs were bought for the tables in the basement and were put on. The Regional meeting was held in Goshen last week and guest speaker was Lorna Shaw and her book was purchased "In Fullness of Time". , Bonnie Roy and Ruby Hill are in charge of the No- vember meeting. Carol and Eleanor based their devotion on Thanks- giving. Carol asked everyone to state what they were t thankful for and notes were compared. A thanksgiving arrangment of fresh fruits and vegetables was put in the church for Thanksgiving Sunday. Carol also ex- plained to the women what the Sunday School chil- dren are learning in Sunday School. Church news The Teen Set will meet Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. and the Trends will meet Thursday, October 20 at 7:30. Next Sunday is Goshen Anniversary Sunday at 11 a.m. so there will not be a service in Varna. Guest speaker will be Rabcrt Witmer. The Goshen Turkey Supper tickets are on sale any time after October 12. Call Linda Linfield at 565-2124 to reserve your tickets. Craft show Partners in Community Living are holding their Sec- ond Annual Craft Show on October 22 from 9-5 p.m. at ARC Industries, Dashwood. Bake sale, lunch room and over 25 vendors will be there with a wide variety of crafts, novelties and woodworking. The contact per- son is Barb Consitt at 233-9297. Dance Plan to attend "Recess for Adults", a community dance sponsored by the CHSS Parents Liaison Com- mittee, Saturday, October 22 at 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the Clinton Legion. All proceeds are to go towards technology ventures at Clinton high School. Music by Mixed Company. A light lunch will be served. Tickets are S10 rer person and can be purchased from Bill Steenstra at 482-3780 or CHSS at 482-3471. Croklnole Club The Varna Crokinole Club will begin their third year of play on October 25 at 8 p.m. in the Varna United Church basement with an open crokinole party. Anyone interested in one night of crokinole or pros- pective members of the club as well as all current and former members including spares arc invited. Bring ta- bles, boards and something for a pot luck lunch, The club meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from October through March. Last year they had 16 members with 12 spares. The spares filled in for members unable to attend regular nights. The club met 12 times during the year with four open parties and eight nights of either single or double competition. Anyone wishing further information should contact Ivan or Marg McClymont at 233-3214. Zurich medal . ' ners Three students at Zurich Public School placed in the top three at the recent cross coun- try sport competition. Six public schools in Huron County participated. Medal winners from are from left: Grade 4 student Micah Verhoog, placing third; Skylar Van Kruistum, Gr. 4, placing second; and Kevin Ford, Gr. 6 who also place third. You're invited CLINTON - On October 12 Habitat for Humanity Huron County will be hosting a "meet the president reception and in- formation night" in the auditor- ium of the Clinton Town Hall. Wilmer Martin, President of Habitat for Humanity, Canada, will be the keynote speaker. The evenings activities will be presided over by Pat Jamieson, from C.K.N.X. Wingham, and Jan Morris from the Listowel Toastmaster's Club. During the evening guests will have the opportunity to view videos, look at displays. won door prizes, purchase gifts, enter a draw and enjoy refreshments as well as find out more about Habitat for Hu- manity and ways to help Habi- tat in its work in Huron County. Habitat for Humanity Huron County plans to "Come Alive in '95" and put at least one family into decent, afford- able housing. Participation will help turn this dream into reali- ty, say organizers. Children shows in Blyth BLYTH - The delightful chil- dren's classic, Peter and the Wolf complete with actors, puppets, and Prokofiev's marvelous comes to the stage of the Blyth Memorial Hall on Saturday, October 29 at 1 p.m. This public performance fol- lows five days of sold out matinee performances to area schools. "We've been overwhelmed by the response of the schools," com- mented director and producer, Duncan McGregor, who was Artis- tic Director of Carousel Players in St. Catharines for ten years before moving to Blyth where he now teaches at Bluewater Secondary School. During this past summer, McGregor invited community members to help stage the play and he is delighted with his cast and supporters. Ann Elliott of Blyth who has performed in many of the Blyth Festival Murder Mys7. teries has a number of parts in the play as does McGregor himself. They introduce the story and ma- nipulate the various large puppets. Teague Onn, featured in this sum- mer's hit Glengary School Days, and a student at Blyth Public School plays Peter. Zoey Onn, who was a participant in this summer's Young Company is responsible for the wolfmohile. The cast is com- pleted by musician, Arlene Darn- brough, of Goderich, who ingeni- ously produces Prokofiev's music for the entire orchestra on her synthesizer. Other local volunteers working on the project include Doucette of Clinton as assistant director and Fran Cook of Blyth as stage man- ager. The intriguing use of giant puppets attracted well-known pup- peteer, Ms. Doucette who. said, "The children will Love the animal puppets and we have also prepared a study guide to help teachers make different' kinds of puppets back in the classroom." Tickets for the Saturday perfor- mance are available; at ;4. each at the Festival Box Office 523-9300 and the following ticket outlets: Bluewater Office Supply. Wing - ham; Campbell's Photography, Goderich; and Crossroads Clinton. THE GODERICH MAGNIFICENT SEVEN present the... � In the former SAW Store. Over 50 Vehicle t view plus inside to many , alio at the SUNCOAST MALL Hwy. #21, South, Goderich N SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 15 & 16/94 1 -5 P.M. presented to you by THE GODERICH NEW CAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION ® ROEERT EVANS - C-EVIJLJE/fes ®SLACCASe'T FORD fVEFIC FIY LIEN SALES LTD. 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