Clinton News-Record, 1977-05-19, Page 4PAGE 4-CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MAY'19, 1977
What we think
Are the lessons forgotten
Unless you are old enough to
remember the "dirty thirties" you will
know little of the stark tragedy which
lay like a pall over the Canadian and
American West at that time. Added to
all the miseries of a world-wide
economic depression, the farmers on
the prairies had to sit and watch the
topsoil from which their livelihoods
came blowing in vast clouds across the
landscape. The sail drifted like snow,
scattered over thousands of square
miles by the ceaseless winds in a land
where rain refused to fall.
Finally those dreary years came to
an end. The rain did fall again,
although many children up to seven or
eight years of age were amazed to see
water falling from the sky. During that
long, desperate time the prairie far-
mers learned many lessons about the
land which was theirs. They found that
leaving the litter from last year's crop
on the fields helped to hold down the
dry soil. They learned to plow the land
into ridges to decrease drifting and to
plant windbreaks where possible. .
It seems that the careful application
of those hard-won lessons would have
become a basic part of prairie farming
lore. But only a few days ago we heard
an elderly farm expert from the West
discussing the ..present dust -storm
conditions on the prairies, during
which he admitted that lack of rain and
snowfall has created similar con-
ditions.
However the real surprise came with
his statement that Western farmers
have become careless about the
precautions learned in the 30s. If that is
really true, some of the younger people
had better get back for a talk with
,grandad. (from the Listowel Banner)
The dutiful losers
You clutch your $1 lottery ticket and
wait for the draw on the television.
Your blood pressure mounts as the
camera pans from the happy, always
clapping audience (lotteries are fun!)
to the assistants conscientiously
placing balls in selection machines
(lotteries are fair!) - to the announcer,
who actually wishes you "happy,
happy news •of tax free goodies . . .
tonight in Ontario."
Amid excruciating tension, he reads
out the winning number . . . Too bad.
But your chances at the big prize were
minuscule anyway. The big winners in
Canada's mushrooming $2 -billion
lottery industry are the government
agencies that run it. Ticket sales in
Ontario have increased from about two
million every two weeks in May, 1975,
to about six million tickets every two
weeks this year. Sales in the Maritimes
will increase 70 percent in 1977.
Canadians will spend $20-$25 per
capita on lottery tickets this year.
More startling than ticket sales is the
percentage of revenue retained as
profit, writes lan Brown -in The
Financial Post. Roulette returns about
95 percent of the bettors' money;
blackjack, 94 percent; dice, 83-97
percent; horse racing, 82 percent.
Lotteries return only 38 percent - 40
percent.
Such a return allows government
lottery corporations an average profit
of about 40 percent of revenues. And
it's free of taxes and guidelines.
Sugar and .Spice/By Bill Smiley
That time of year
This is a time of year when a lot of school
teachers get a sinking feeling.
All year they have been laboring in the
fairly barren vineyards of their students,
sustained by the knowledge that there is
still time to produce a green shoot or two,
and maybe even enough grapes to make
some kind of brew.
----,Suddenly, there are only 16 teaching days
left, and there is the dreadful realization
that they have exhausted all their skills,
and that it had about as much effect on
Susie and Joe as would a bucket of water
poured over a seal. It just doesn't stick.
Thus, when they should be looking for-
ward with anticipation to end of term and
summer vacation, many teachers find
themselves instead in a veritable Slough of
Despond.
It is. the students' perennial belief in
miracles that puts the teachers onto anti-
depressant pills about now.
Aside from school work, adolescents are
not dumb. They are quite aware that
education these days is a • sociological
jungle from which they have a far better
chance , of emerging unscathed than do
those poor devils who try to teach them.
They know that in our enlightened
society, "failure" is a dirty word, and that
everyone from the Minister of Education,
through the school board, down to their
classrootn teacher, will do back flipstrying
to avoid pinning such a label on them.
Many students know perfectly well that
they can goof around most of the year, play
truant, miss assignments, be late with
essays, and nothing very terrible will
happen to them.
In fact, if they go around looking serious
and sincere for the last few weeks, and do a
little work, there's every chance that they
will scrape or scramble through, only to
repeat the whole process the next year. .
Born and raised in a society where it is no
shame to accept charity, because it's now
dignified as welfare, where unemployment
insurance is a cosy cushion against ad-
versity, where their aged parents will be
looked after by, the state, where the work
ethic is scorned, where the semi -literate
hockey player or pop star is not only
idolized but rich, the kids are not going 'to
get their shirts in a knot over something as
apparently irrelevant as doing well at
school.
And let's not blame them too much. Let's
take a look at the world we're passing on to
them.
It's a world strangling -drowning in its
own poisons, created by the greed of past
generations. The kids see the greed and the
poisoning going right on. Small wonder
they are a little cynical about some of the
virtues such as unselfishness and the
golden rule.
It's a world in which the rip-off, is ad-
mired, on the whole. They see unions
ripping off management, management
ripping off the consumer, everybody trying
to rip off the government. So why not rip off
the school system? It's the biggest sucker
of all.
It's a world in which the media pander to
,the bizarre and violent. The hijacker, the
terrorist are overnight sensations. Is it
naive to suggest that these are responsible,
to some extent, for the bomb warnings, and
the incredible vandalism in our schools?
It's a world of drugs. The old manu.has his
drinks every night and gets smashed on the
weekend. The old lady has 18 different
kinds of pills. Why not run away from
reality by emulating them.
It's a world in which the daily papers are
full of examples of corruption . in high
places. A senator here, a president there,
A has helped himself. So what's wrong with
cheating, as long as you aren't caught?
It's a world in which the best and bravest
are often bullied by the brutal and
belligerent. So why not give the teachers a
hard time? "They can't do nothin' to ya,
anyhow,' cept senja home. So what? Write
a note and sign your old man's name."
Not a very pretty picture? You're right,
gentle reader. But this is not an Indictment
of students. It's a cry of shame for the
society we're handing on to them.
Let's restore "failure" to our
vocabulary. Let's restore "excellence,"
another word that'sbeen dropped. Let's
show the kids that ;apathy is ugly, that
reason. is superior to violence, that love and
sex are not synonymous, that compassion
and courage far outweigh cruelty and
cowardice. •
I'm sorry for them, and what we have
shown them. But I don't despair. Let's show
them it's a beautiful world, and that they
are beautiful and that they are needed to
make it more beautiful. Then watch them
go.
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"Remember when H2O used to mean hydrogen and oxygen — now it's hydrogen and oil."
Odds 'n' ends, - by Elaine Townshend
Doing her own thing
As I write this column, all is quiet at
the Trudeau residence. No one seems to
know what Margaret is up to. Lately
she's been busy "doing her own thing"
and the gossips in Canada and abroad
have been having a field day.
When she made her singing debut a
few months ago, the remarks varied
from "touching" to "nbarrassing."
Fears concerning her emotional
stability were murmured. I remained
non -committal. After all, who am I to
criticize? I can't carry a tune either.
Later she shocked the ladies in
Washington by wearing' a knee-length
dress to a function at which the others
wore floor -length gowns. Mrs. Carter
was reported to be perturbed.
I thought, "Bravo, Margaret! You're
doing your own thing again." Frankly,
I'm more concerned with inflation and
unemployment than the length of
Margaret's skirt. I'm not schooled in the
demands of proper etiquette..
•When.she uttered a four-letter„word in
a couple of interviews, I was not upset.
Even the most mild-mannered people let
those words slip now and again, and
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Pierre is noted for lashing out with more
than the four-letter kind.
She attended two performances of the
Rolling Stones in succession. Not being a
Rolling Stones' fan, I couldn't imagine
sitting through the show for two nights in
a row, but to each her own. Meanwhile,
the gosspis were convinced she was
follow,jng Mick Jagger, and hanky-
panky'was intimated.
When she began studying
photography, no one seemed to object.
Why shouldn't she pursue her personal
interests? It was "cute” for her to
photograph her son's birthday party
along with the other photographers.
When her interest developed into more
than a hobby, though, the attitude
changed.
Yes, Margaret has been busy "doing
her own thing" When she returned from
one of her escapades, Pierre supposedly
gave her a black eye. She confided to
friends, who immediately confided to
reporters, who turned the incident into
headline news.
She reportedly says she's tired of
public life. She's bored with shaking
hands and cutting' ribbons She's fed up
with secret Service men following her
and with the press monitoring her every
move. Ironically, she has received more
exposure since she started "doing her
own thing" than when she was just the
Prime Minister's wife.
When she married Pierre Trudeau,
she took on more responsibilities than
being a wife and a mother. Some people
contend she is shirking those respon-
sibilities, and maybe they're right.
In many ways, I sympathize with her.
I value my privacy, and I believe
everyone is entitled to the . same
privilege. I also feel everyone should be
able to fulfill themselves as individuals.
I have only one bone to pick with her.
If she's tired of public life, does she want
to be treated as an ordinary Jane? If so,
she's going about it in the wrong way.
Most ordinary Janes don't work in a
foreign land without a work permit,, as
she did on a photographic assignment in
New York. Nor do they hop a jet for a
personal jaunt 'arid expect the nation to
pay for it. They don't do their own
"thing" at the country's expense.
From our early fibs .
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10 YEARS AGO
May 18, 1967
"Nothing short of fabulous,"
was the comment made by R.
Campbell, secretary of Clinton
Retail Merchants Committee,
over the enthusiasm and co-
operation in the Centennial Week,
May 15 to 20, celebrations in
-town.
Practically every store is
displaying Centennial or old
vintage items used in each
particular business, and special
celebrations are being conducted
to celebrate Canada's birthday.
Clinton and District Com-
munity. Centre Centennial Fund
finance committee have called
for a final blitz canvass to get
monies in for the new arena
project.
The fun now stands at $26,756.09
out of an anticipated $100,000. Not
included in the total amount to
date is what Clinton was allowed
through the winter works
program ora Centennial grant.
The Women Teachers
Federation held their Centennial
meeting in Clinton with president
Jane Groves in the chair. All
teachers were in Centennial
dress.
" The meeting was opened by
Mrs. Groves reading, "Rules and
'Regulations" for teachers in New
York 100 years ago. Some of
these were as follows: Each
teacher was required to bring a
pail of water and scuttle of coal to
school each day; no female
teacher was allowed out in the
evenings during school week, but
male teachers were allowed two
•evenings a week • for courting
purposes if they attended church
regularly. •
25 YEARS AGO
May 15, 1952
The Clinton Lions r~1L1b have
launched ErS1 campaign to raise
$30,000 to install artificial ice
equipment in the arena this year.
The fund raising will include a
direct canvass of the community
and a series of bingos and other
events in the next few months.
It is confidently expected that
the artificial ice equipment will
be installed and in operation in
Clinton Lions Arena this coming
November.
Twenty persons subscribed to
an application to the provincial
government fora Credit Union to
operate in this community.
The application will go before
the government and upon ap-
proval of the Supervisor of Credit
'Unions, a charter vtjill be given to
the Union here. Huron County
Federation of Agriculture has
offered its office, rent free for one
year, for the use of the proposed
organization.
The Credit Union is a bank,
operated bny the people with a
common bond of association, to
encourage thrift and to provide
credit when needed.
The Clinton. Town Council has
approved a design for the town
crest. The crest is a re -production
of the lower portion of the Clinton
family crest, with the inscription
in French: "Tout vient de dieu",
translated, "All things come
from God."
The Baronry of Clinton was set
up in 1299, the family name being
"Hepburn - Stuart Forbes -
Trefusis." The present (or 21st)
Baron, was born January 21, 1863
and succeeded to the title on the
death of his father in 1904. At the
advanced age of 89, he now
resides in the family seat,
Neanton, Satchville, Okeham-
pton, North Devon, England.
The council also adopted the
decision to install a traffic light at
the intersection of Highways 4
and 8. •
50 YEARS AGO
May 19, 1927
Mr. Percy .Ladd, who recently
joined his wife at Redlands,
California, motored to the Sunny
State, leaving here on Sunday
morning, May 1, reaching
Redlands on Saturday morning,
May 7, driving the long distance
of 3,100 miles in less than seven
days.
Percy always had the
reputation of not allowing the
grass to grow under the wheels of
his car.
Cooper's 42nd anniversary sale
was advertised this week and the
store offered many birthday
values. Huron toilet paper, 14
rools. for 49 cents; clover leaf
cups and saucers, three for 39
cents; men's blue denim
overalls, 98 cents; linen en-
velopes, 2 packages for 15 cents;
a choice of 100 new hats for $1
each; two quart aluminum coffee
percolators, 89 cents each;
wallpaper, 5 cents and. 10 cents
per roll. *'
We would call the attention of
the street committee to a portion
of sidewalk, at the west side of
the post office, which is badly in
need of repair, and has been for
some years. The walk has sunk,
leaving the cement curb three or
four inches higher than the walk,
making it very easy to trip over.
The step is high at this point and
the walk should be smooth and in_
good order to prevent at cidents.
Other parts of the walk are in like
condition, but this being a
crossing is doubly dangerous. It
ought to be remedied without
fu'rther delay.
75 YEARS AGO
May 16, 1902
What might have been a
serious accident occurred here on
Monday. As Walter Wallis was
going down Porter's Hill east
from the store, with a very large
load of lumber, his horses
became unmanageable and
plunged over the embankment,
load and horses rolling over until
they reached the bottom. Mr.
Wallis sprang off the load when it
started to upset, and escaped
with a few scratches. The wagon
tongue was broken.
Since the retirement of W.N.
Manning as business manager at
the Organ Factory we un-
derstand that W. Ross, who has
been the efficient bookkeeper,
has received this appointment
and W. Stevenson has also been
promoted in his duties; Jas.
Doherty has joined the office
staff. The employees, on a vote,
decided that beginning the 1st of
June Saturday afternoon will be
taken as a holiday until'the end of
August.
A course of military instruction
for school teachers of high
schools or collegiate institutes in
Ontario will be held at Stanley
Barracks, Toronto, commencing
on the 7th of July.
Don't expectorate on the
sidewalks as it spoils the ap-
pearance of the walks and
besides is a disgusting habit;
some doorsteps of business
places are a filthy sight in the
morning.
A meeting in the interests of
prohibition was held in Benmiller
last Friday night. A very
eloquent and interesting address
was delivered by Miss Charlotte
S. Wiggins.
100 YEARS AGO
May17,1877
The preparations made for the
Queen's birthday are this year of
such a nature as to be worthy of
more than a passing notice. We
shall therefore give a brief
outline of the "programme of
proceedings." The usual can-
nonading will not be performed
early in the morning, but instead,
people will be allowed to sleep
and awake at their leisure, as the
super -loyal "Peter," is not at
home. After the majority of the
townspeople are awake and
"spruced Ur they will proceed
down town to see the grand
processioh of characters. If by
this time the Post Office is open
many as like will proceed there
and obtain whatever they can,
after which they will congregate
on the sidewalk in front and
discuss the war, tlfe weather, the
Toiies and Grits, acid a variety of
other questions too numerous to
mention. •
In the meantime the "nabobs"
will have obtained vehicles, and
with creatures "fair and lovely to
behold," shall dash through the
'principal streets, doubtless much
to the pleasure and comfort of
the assembled multitude. By this
time it will be the hour for "going
down to the station" the crowd
will shove their hands in their
pockets, and in procession march
thither.
After doing honor in that
section, the processionists will
retrace their way "up town" the'
number perhaps being lessened
by a few who drop out of the
ranks "to get some cloves." After
marching around the place, and
occasionally engaging in
_"pleasant, pastimes" they once
more assemble at the P.O.,
where a mail repast will be
served, then the crowd will
disperse, each one feeling, shall
we say, "pleased with the days'
entertainment."
With commendable enterprise,
Mr. J.A. Yuill intends placing a
team on the road' between here
and Bayfield, for the special
purpose of carrying express
matter to and fro. We believe the
team .will go to Bayfield every
evening and return in the mor-
ning. This will be a convenience.
to the Bayfield people that we
think they will not be slow to
appreciate.
•
What you
think
Smoking
Dear Editor:
The attached letter is being
circulated ' to all public
meeting areas in the County
of Huron at the request of the
Huron County Board of
Health.
The Board wouldgreatly
appreciate it if you would
publicize this as much as
possible .
Dear Sir:
Attached is a booklet from
the Ontario Ministry of
Health entitled, "Guidelines
for the Establishment of Non -
Smoking Areas". This
booklet has been published
with the aim of promoting
awareness of the need to
provide relief from tobacco
fumes in enclosed public
areas as well as offering
sensible and reasonable
suggestions how this can be
done.
You will note that 58 per
cent of the population are
non-smokers and there is
growing pressure for
legislative and governmental
directive to designate non-
smoking areas in airplanes,
restaurants, stores, public
areas, etc.
The Huron County Board of
Health, at its regular meeting
on April 1, 1977 endorsed the
adoption of non-smoking
areas in public and directed
the Medical Officer of Health
to convey this recom-
mendation to all those in
charge of public premises
and public meeting areas
including hospitals,
restaurants and public
auditoriums.
The Huron County Council,
at its regular meeting on
April 29,,•_1977, also endorsed
-the recommendation of the
Huron County Board of
Health for the creation of non-
smoking areas in public
places.
I am sure you will realize
how necessary it is to support
the non-smoker group as
many of these people are
suffering from bronchial or
cardiac diseases which are
aggravated by tobaccosmoke
and others simply wish the
right to breathe a clean en-
vironment free from the
contamination of tobacco
smoke.
The Huron County Board of
Health hopes that you or your
Board will endorse their
recommendation and will
create non-smoking areas
immediately as the Huron
County Board of Health
believes that the creation of
non-smoking areas is an
important step in the
promotion of good health and
the prevention of disease.
The Board of Health would
be pleased to know what steps
have been taken by you or
your organization in the
creation of non-smoking
areas both prior to receiving
this , letter and as a con-
sequence of receiving this
letter. A reply at your earliest
cofivenience would be ap-
preciated.
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Yours sincerely,
G. F. Mills, M.D. eik
News -Record readers are
encouraged to express their
opinions in letters to the
editor, however, such opinions
do not necessarily represent
the opinions of the News -
Record.
Pseudonyms may be used
by letter writers, but no letter
will be published unless it can
be verified by phone.
Are you voting June 9?
Better check the list
The special enumeration
phase of the Ontario electoral
process is under way and
continues until May 21st. It is
for qualified voters missed
during the . initial
enumeration period, and
those whose name is not on
the posted list of voters for
the electoral district in which
they live.
Attention is drawn to
Ontario Election Office ad-
vertisements in daily and
weekly 'newspapers providing
detailed information on the
steps to be taken to ensure a
vote.
Qualified voters not yet
enumerated for the June 9th
provincial election should
contat their Returning
Officer to arrange to visit the
returning office, cir if
necessary, special
enumerators will be sent out
to obtain the required in-
formation. Returning Officer
telephone numbers may be
obtained from 868-1848 (ef-
fective May 14) for those
living in Metropolitan
Toronto and from Directory
Assistance -- 411 for all
others.
To be qualified to vote in an
Ontario general election, a
person at the time of voting
must be at least 18 years old,
a Canadian citizen or British
subject, and a resident of
Ontario for at least the 12
months preceding election
day.
Urban voters must have
their names on a list of voters
by May 28th to be allowed to
vote.
Rural voters not on the list
may have their names added
before May 28th or have
someone they know who is on
the list vouch for them on
polling day.
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