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Clinton News-Record, 1975-03-13, Page 9URCH: In memory of Huron arch who died a year ago this arch.. * kilt us quietly is thoughts unknown t lett us a memory e are proud to own treasure him Lord n your garden of rest or when on earth e was one of the best. ver remembered by daughters, n -in-law, grandchildren and other -in -law." --1 lb BUTLER: We wish to thank all our friends, neighbours, and relatives for their sympathy, floral tributes, donations to the ancer and Heart Fund. Thank ou to Rev. McQuinney, Ball neral Home and the Ladies of e Legion Auxiliary for the luncheon.—The Butler amily.-11b EDGAR: I would like to thank my friends for cards, flowers and gifts that I received while I was a patient in Clinton Public Hospital. Special thanks to those who visited me in hospital and to those who •phoned.—Ceacilia Edgar. -11p COLCLOUGH: I would like to express my thanks to every one who sent cards, flowers and gifts while I was a patient in Clinton Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Lambert, Dr. Harrett and the nurses on the first floor.—C. Colclough.-11b GRIGG: 1 would like to express my appreciation to all those who remembered me with cards, flowers, gifts, and visits while I was a patient in Clinton Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Lambert, Dr. Harrett, the nurses and staff on first floor, for their kindness to me. Also a sincere thanks to Rev. Oestreicher, U.C.W. and members of Wesley Willis Church. Huronic Rebekah Lodge No. 306, Wor.r� en's Institute, and Golden Radar Club.—Marg Grigg. -11b BEZZO: I would like to thank all friends and neighbours for all their thoughtfulness while I was a patient in Clinton Public Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Newland and Dr. Watts, nurses and staff. Lucy Bezzo.-11b at the Auction Rooms, Hwy. 21, one mile South of Goderich VODDEN: The family of the late Charles A. Vodden wish to ex- press their sincere thanks to relatives, friends and neighbours for the kindness and sympathy extended to them during the loss of a father and grandfather, for the beautiful floral tributes, donations to Clinton Public, Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Londesboro United Church Memorial Fund and Blyth United Church Fund and Cards of Sympathy. Special thanks to pallbearers, flower bearers, Tasker Funeral Home, Rev. Stan McDonald, Rev. Harold Snell, Dr. Street and all nurses on 1st floor of Clinton Hospital and also al(ev: Wittick.'for his call§ to'see Dad. Your kindness will always be remembered. Dorothy Daer, Ruth Pipe and families. -11p 10:30 a.m. Small antique cast-iron cook stove; Quebec heater; 5 clocks; wardrobes; pine chests of drawers; pine washstands; pine tables; pine buffet; marble -top washstands; English hall racks; sideboards; jelly cupboard; commodes; 4 antique side chairs; 8 dining - room chairs; 2 ladder -back arm chairs; 6 hip -rest chairs with matching rocker; hostess chairs; pressed -back rocking chair; dining -room table with 6 matching chairs; display cabinet; oak bench; Victorian bed; spool bed; night stands; fern stands; small tables; 5 large prints; 7 frames; part toilet sets; candle holders; iron pot; 8 flat irons; scales; brassware; bottles; lantern; oil lamps; crockery; quantity of dishes; electric plane; electric paint remover; hand set93'; "Tij 111 futures etc.' etc. Terms - cash Mike Cummings - auctioneer Goderich-524-9064 Dear Editor: The,re are two parts to the question of building a Senior Citizens' Centre in Clinton. One is concerned with money, the other. with purpose. Both are im- portant; they are inter- dependent, but we may separate them for examination. One (for the money) : As E.D. Fingland pointed out last week, we groan under the burdens of inflation, yet we keep calling for more. Everyone coinplains about government spending and bureaucracy, while forcing the need for a bigger administration. Everybody wants a grant for this, a pledge for that. Remember, all straws look much alike — that's how the guy loading the camel got fooled. What will a Centre actually cost'P What will landscaping, and furnishings cost? And after the ribbon is cut — what? Who shall be the caretaker? Shall he or she be paid? what about the heating and hydro bills? What about equipage — will there be a kit- chen? Supplies? Where is all this money to be obtained? Some bright soul suggested a lottery. Oh, what a smashing idea! Reminds as of another local fund- raising caper ... let's see, now .. . sell 26 tickets, at $1,000 apiece, give a prize of $10,000 and use the remaining $16,000 for the Centre . .. A whole lot more could be said about the financial aspect of this project, but let us leave that for now, and explore the other part of the proposition. Two (for the show) : It has been stated that there are 600 potential users (over 60 years of age) to justify the erection of a special facility. As Mrs. Fingland stated in her letter, less than half these will use the building. How many different individuals? Perhaps the same persons every day, while the majority do not set foot inside the place. The Ministry of Social and Community Services says a canvass, a survey will have to be done. That sounds) to me like tokenism, a phoney way to prove demand. As with a petition, many people will sign, without really giving thought to long-term consequences. Per- sonally, I support the idea - but I would prefer to give my time and involvement to some present, worthwhile programme that does not call for such expense and maintenance. It will be easy to get names on a paper; will they mean anything? For our numbers, the town is overbuilt. We take up too much land; there is a great amount of waste space. There are about a dozen churches, all of which are adequately equipped to host social activities, such as those suggested by the seniors. There is also the Town Hall. How can we consider a new building and all its implications, when we have so mud'h sitting at hand? If the problem is one of religious dif- ferences, why bother with a seniors' centre centre at all? Anyone that stupid and bigoted would hardly be likely to desire social mingling with the misled opposition, now would he? The argument has been offered that a building handy to town's centre (and Post Office) is required. Why? Surely, if the seniors find a long walk to be an obstacle, they could call for a number of volunteer drivers to provide a car-pool -to chauffeur people to the hall, and home later. And even if the group does get a dew Centre, will the meMbers do their bit? Will they donate fur- nishments and supplies, like chairs, dishes, appliances? Or will everything have to be new, and matching, and "nice"? 1 would like to see some evidence of worthy purpose and self ;initiative, with the seniors, as well as with other groups. If you want something, fine, but you do the planning, and you find the money (no grants!) and you carry the thing to completion. Would the seniors perhaps consider undertaking some projects of interest and service to the general community? I am not asking that anyone surrender his or her leisure time in the "golden years", but I am aware that many older people feel discarded and useless — can't they make a necessary contribution? Many people grow old and deteriorate simply because they have nothing else to do. Yet the op- portunities do exist. It only takes some thinking and some organization. If the seniors want a grant, let it be one for service, not for a silly edifice. Use the money for some programme of importance. There are lots of possibilities. There are also lots of existing buildings to use as headquarters. I find it somewhat disturbing that a town can consider DONATING a centrally located property, to a group, for a new building, when that same . town will not even venture to obtain land (or offer presently -owned land) to sell or DONATE to in- dustries and firms wishing to establish themselves in our community. This town is so damn dead, it smells; yet no tax breaks or business incentives are ever put forth; Clinton is owned and operated by the Cozy Few, who have nursed it into its present state, no doubt hoping to be rewarded in the Last Will and Proceeds. , Right now, we hardly „know whether to revive it or embalm it. Still there are some who want to build a wild Municipal Complex (fondly referred to as "Million Dollar Baby") but are oddly reluctant to invest wisely in in- dustrial development properties. This is Centennial Year, dedicated to all sorts of wanton revelry celebrating Boom Town Canada's birthday. Avail yourself of a copy of the Hurnn County Atlas. Read about Clinton' a few years back. Where bas all the flour gone? This time, don't blame the Air Force for the ghost town! If nothing 'is done soon to im- prove our economic situation here, this will become Sunset City within .,a_ ..•few years. No inhabitants under•'the age of 110. Who can afford the taxes Clinton will have by then? The answer to our problem is not a government works project or loans, but a commitment by local persons to their community. Let's not hand out lots like a bunch of dolts; let's get some development land and some tenants for it. When I hear about persons in a well-fed, well cared -for district of Canada asking for, and expecting to receive readily, government funds, to add to a list of unused luxuries, I see red. Do you realize what the money for a drop-in centre would mean in a remote town la Northern Ontario? It would mean a hall for the whole community. Or a school. Or a new medical clinic — a dire necessity — in a region where people still are dying of unheard causes, like ruptured appendix, or worms. And WE think we need a building just because it would be "handy"! There is another matter which no one has raised to this point. One of the reasons given for needing a Centre is that it would be a place to drop in and chat. What ever happened to hospitality? All you seniors have homes or apartments — how often do you entertain a friend or a little card party? How often do you drop in on a neighbor for a minute? Have you grown hesitant or lazy? Are you out of touch.? We often hear elderly people com- plain they are lonely, but most suffer of their own doing. Nobody is lonely, unless he fails to make •the effort of contact and cheer- fulness with others. Retirement does not mean withdrawal from society. If a retired individual's social life withers when he leaves the business circle, then he didn't have a proper, firmly established one in the first place. Seniors must keep active in the affairs of their neighborhoods. They must make social contacts; encourage visiting and shared interests. And perhaps some of the serious seniors are not visited very often by relatives and friends — some are chronic grumblers, listing their aches and pains and the faults of all those in their acquaintance. How about some personality development? Some hobbies? Get the mind off those silly things that make life appear gloomy. Join some community organizations. You have a whole I'ifftime of experience" and Several provincial officers were among those attending the County meeting of the Black Perceptors In Clinton last Saturday. Left to right are Harold Webster of Auburn, County Master of Black Chapter of Huron; Valerie Endicott of London, Grand Registrar of the Grand Crystal Chapter of Canada; John B. Munroe of Hamilton, Master of the Provincial Grand Black Chapter of Ontario West; and Ruth A. Day of London, past Grandmistress of the Grand Orange Lodge of the LOBA of Canada. (News -Record photo) knowledge in working with people; why take it out of cir- culation? Those of you who are well and able, do you realize how the sick and the invalids long for the kind of freedom that you have, but squander? Before seniors concern themselves with a building, I urge them to look at their resources, their potential active role as part of our community. I urge them to get together and exert a group effort in doing important things, things that expand the usefulness, the in- tellect, the New Horizons. Another empty building? Who needs it? We need community work and interaction. The best thing about towns such as ours is that they are ideal places for total neighborhood involvement. The worst thing is that all, the people split into little factions and nurse grudges and bruised sentiments for decades, thereby making community action impossible. If the senior citizens' club does decide to proceed with the ob- tainment of a new Centre, the club should at least pay for it from group funds. It is a luxury, and cannot be financed by the rest of us, especially the young, who are discouraged from ear- ning their living and making their home here. Nor should the ser- vice clubs be looked to as sources of money to pay for such ex- travagance. As with government funds: there are far greater needs around us. Let's attend them first. I hope our seniors will turn their thoughts from a flashy extra to areas of meaningful effort and interest. The hours are not to kill — they are to live. Probably my comments will raise a few hackles. It is not my wish to kindle ill will, so I will pledge my help, in any possible manner, to our senior citizens for whatever commendable projects they will undertake to the benefit of their group, and the general community. Anyone join me? Sincerely, Reginald Thompson, Clinton The Baha'i Faith Teaches... Christ's explanation– of Baptism was Spirit, Water and Fire — Spirit is bounty of God, Water is the Word of God, Fire the love of God. You can be next Nothing to boy Nothing to Tose Eigeire today N. T. ORMANDY P.O. Box 212 Goderich P.O. Box 334 Clinton DIAMOND SPECIALIST GODERICH FOR 175jYOLYO COMES IN THREE NEW IMPROVED NUMBERSThe 1975 Volvo comes with a number of new improvements. Fuel injection, steel -belted radials, more comfortable bucket seats, tachometer, rack-and-pinion steering, a spring strut front suspension, electronic ignition, front side window defrosters. And a new number: the Volvo 240 series. Look over our new Volvos. You'll like what you see. And what you don't. Let's face it, you don't need a bank to tell you how to plan your future. That's your busincss. And we respect it. But let's say you've got your plans all. sorted out. And your pl ins arc going to nccd money, come to us. Wed like to 'tit1c'rt:' ' thc Bank of Commerce. We can custom tailor an entire credit package specifically for your farm. The package includes short term credit to cover your month to month and season toeason operations and longer range financing of items such as machin- ery, grain storage or additional land. We can lend.vou thc money you nccd now. And the nice thing is that you can arrange repayment specifically to suit your cash flow. 'If you wish we can also arrange low-cost credit life insurance. Whatever your credit needs, the person to talk to is your local Commerce manager. So if you're a farmer who has future plans that include money, come talk to us. 524-7212