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Clinton News-Record, 1978-02-09, Page 4PAGE 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1978 What we think 1111111111111III1111111IIIII11111111IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIliill1i11111IIIIIIIIIIIII11111IIIIIIIIIIII What unemployment? Several stories on the employment and unemployment situation which have appeared in the daily media in the past week or so seem to contradict themselves, or at least offer two dif- ferent sets of facts. One says that unemployment climbed over the 900,000 mark in January, while another was on the impending "rebellion" by university graduates who have been well educated, and then find out they have no job. A third story, that makes the first two seem harder to swallow, quotes Ross Strickland, vice-president of Ex - Cell -0 Corporation of Canada, which have a prospering plant in Clinton, as saying his firmhad sent a represen- tative to England in an attempt to hire a dozen skilled machinists. Strickland, who is also president of the Canadian Tool Manufacturer's Association, said, "If we could get 30 we'd take them." Ex -Cell -O had advertised without success in Toronto, Montreal, Kit chener, London and Windsor before sending an interviewer to Britain. Scratching your head? Well, here's more: a government -financed group of unemployed people in Chatham in- terviewed 766 employers in Kent County and found 300 skilled tradesmen are needed immediately, and another 2,670 jobs will be open within the next ten years. But the report added there is no sign of where the workers will come from. And according to Douglas Omand, chairman of the provincial govern- ment's Industrial Training Council, the situation is much the same in the rest of the province. A university education is just fine, but undergraduates should be warned before they are admitted that they're there strictly to improve their minds or drinking habits and if they want a future they'll have to be re-educated. We wonder' how many are really unemployed, when you deduct the bums, the over -educated, those on pregnancy leave and those who have a useless education. We'd be willing to gamble that it is a lot Tess than 900,000. Will anybody help? The demise of Clinton's Winter Carnival this year, and the news this week that the Exeter rodeo is folding, point to an increasingly alarming phenomenon in our society, the disappearance of the volunteer worker. There always have been problems getting people to work at community oriented projects, and maybe in the past, we have asked too much of too few. Although there are still plenty of non - paid workers still doing very valuable work around, we should stop and think • ,for a moment, what if they disap- peared altogether? It is a slim possibility that that would ever happen, but more and more of the work falls on fewer and fewer" people. There is already plenty of evidence that shows when the volunteer worker quits helping, the government steps in, and costs escalate, and eventually taxes climb to coverthe extra layer of bureaucracy. We should take stock of ourselves. Is there some area or somebody that could use our help, if only a few hours a month? Maybe it's driving some kids to a hockey game, or delivering a hot dinner for the meals on wheels, or canvassing once a year for a charity. The volunteer worker, that's me and you, is a valuableworker in a com- munity. Let's all help to keep this tradition alive. Sugar and Spice/By Bill Smi ey Oh Canada! We have such a crazy climate in this country that by the time this appears in print some dingbat will have spotted the first crocus peeping its dainty head through the snow. But right at the moment, any such crocus would have to come from the garden of King Kong. This winter has been not a little unlike a sort of arctic King Kong — a vast, un- controllable monster laughing with fien- dish glee at the prospect of puny man trying to cope with his whistling, frigid breath, his frosty and fickle fingers, and his extremely bad case of dandruff. Around these parts we've had 13 to 15 feet of snow, depending on whom you are conversing with. If you are talking to me, you'll learn that we've had 18 feet. My wife would say: "About twelve and a half feet," in that sickening, righteous tone of hers that has made me hurl the hatchet and the butcher knife deep in the 16 feet of snow -right behind the kitchen door, to avoid temptation. Though we have a pretty good running parry -and -thrust on everything from pea soup to politics, from golf to garbage, we just don't fight about the weather. Until this winter. Now it's hammer and tongs almost every day. And I seem to have wound up with the tongs. I stagger out through the blizzard every morning, brush the snow off the car, scrape the ice off the windshield -with my finger- nails because she has lost the scraper, and sit there freezing my poorly padded bum for 10 minutes, warming the beast up. Then I bomb the vehicle out of the driveway, risking my life every morning; because I can't see anything coming, from any direction. I park it on the street. On the odd occasion when she decides to shop, she minces out to the car, heavily garbed, climbs into a warn'i wagon, parks behind the Supermarket and walks 40 feet to the door. Every time she goes out, it has stopped snowing for one hour, the wind has dropped for one hour, and the sun gleams palely for one hour. She leaves the car out on the street when she comes home. I clean it off again, buck it through a drift into the driveway, climb through more snow that goes in over my boots, and totter, breathless and forlorn, into the house. `Why do you make such , a fuss?" she, queries. "It's been a beautiful winter day."wakes up on the first day of the March I don't mind scoffing at my golf game, being able to ski twice as fast and far as I, but this winter she's gone too far. One of us has to break: either the weather, or me. She won't be so dam' smart when she wakes up on the first day of the M. 'arch +t, break and finds a note pinned to her pillow: "Off to the Canary ,Isles for 10 days. Hear they're loaded with Scandinavian girls in bikinis or (gasp!) topless. Why don't you go and visit Grandad for a week or so. Love Fahrenheit Bill." She's a Celsius and it drives me nuts. But it's not only my wife who has helped, with the aid of this atrocious winter, to depress me. It's the cost. This is rough reckoning. but close enough. From last November the first, it has cost me, approximately: $420 for fuel oil; $120 for driveway plowing; $50 for the kid next door, snow -shovelling ; $60 for battery boosts, tow trucks and other winter items for cars. That, my friends, is $650 bucks for the privilege of spending the winter in the true 'north, and freezing. Oh, Canada! You can well say that I didn't need to spend all that. Well, I dang well did. I could have saved a bit on the oil bill by burning the furniture. And I could have saved a bit on the plowing and shovelling if I had been able to quit my job and shovel about four hours a day. But it seems rather a peculiar way to ';ave money. And of course, by now I'd be dead of a heart attack, so where's the percentage? Tell me, 'some of my friends who go south every winter. Does it cost more to eat down there? Less, you say. Does it cost more to drive a car down there? Less, you say. Does it cost more for accommodation? Less, you say, and you add that it can cost $52 for an ordinary double room in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver. But don't you get sick of all that fresh orange juice, and those crispy salads twice a day? No you say. Don't you feel you are deserting the ship, somewhat, when your country needs you, when it is the duty of every man and woman to put his and - or her shoulder to the ear that's stuck in the drift?. No, you say. Have you no thought, no slightest sym- pathy, for the pensioner who tries to peer through his frosted windows, who is scared to venture forth because he might bust his back in a foot -skid, or freeze into a statue on his way to the liquor store? Definitely not, you say. O.K. O.K. I haven'tfigured it out yet, but I'll devise some way of some 'day getting even with all you rotten rich who are loafing around in the sun while I battle with the Old Battleaxe about the windchill factor. In the meantime, it's the least you could do, somebody, anybody, to ask me down for a long -weekend. From about the fifteenth of February to the Ides of March would be just right. "1 understand you're a federal cabinet minister — which scandal are you involved in?" Odds 'n' ends - by Elaine Townshend Memorable birthdays Lately I've been remembering some of my birthdays. I don't recall what brought the subject to my mind. The last one .happened a long time ago, and the next one won't roll around for quite awhile. I've reached the age wher,e a birthday isn't very exciting anymore, but of course, I mention the date to the right people at the right time, just in case they want to continue the gift -giving habit. Otherwise, I keep it quiet. It is not the traditions of a birthday I object to; it's the number of birthdays I've had that bothers me. Some folks say that's a sign of old age. Most kids look forward to their bir- thdays with excitement and so did I, but for a few years, I had some reservations. The coming of my birthday seemed to herald some unhappy events. For example, on my 12th birthday, my mother broke her arm. "Just a coin- cidence," I told myself. The 13th birthday, is a special one for all young . people, but instead of dreaming about being a teenager, I was dreading a trip to the hospital. And five days after my -13th birthday, Dad's barn burned. I have never been superstitious, but by then I was becoming edgy. "What's gonna happen next year?" I asked myself. Fortunately nothing happened, and for' the next few years my birthday passed uneventfully. I had almost forgotten my silly premonitions when frost killed most of Mom's flowers on the eve of my bir- thday. That is not supposed to happen in the summertime. "Is- -it an omen of worse to come?" I wondered. It wasn't and I breathed easier again. Then came the excitement of my 21st birthday and the anticipation of all the privileges and responsibilities that magic age would bring. But Pierre took a lot of the fun out of it for us 21-year=olds by giving the same privileges to all the 18, 19 and 20 -year-olds', too. Of course, many birthdays stand out in my mind for their happiness. My family had a double celebration complete with champagne to mark my 20th birthday and my brother-in-law's acceptance into med-school. A few weeks before my 21st birthday I was a bridesmaid at my girl friend's wedding, and I made it up the aisle without falling on my face. At the reception, the waitress asked if I was 21. I replied, "Almost," and got ginger ale in>;ead of wine. Penalized for telling the truth! The worst part was the fellow sitting beside me, who was a little younger than I, got away with the line: "I'm 21 today!" Oh well, at least he let me sip his wine. My sister's three kids were all born within a few weeks of my birthday. At times, they have brought great joy to my life. (At other times, they have almost driven me bananas!) Each year I'm touched by old friends who remember my birthday. Some of them have much better memories than I do. A'surprise birthday party caught me completely off -guard one year. In the past few years, my birthdays have passed uneventfully, and that's fine with me. The only change I've noticed is that they seem to come fast each year. "Another sign of old age," I've been told. From our early files . • • • 5 YEARS AGO February 8, 1973 At their regular meeting, Monday evening, February 5, council learned that tenders have been called to build a post office in the Village of Bayfield and completion is to be done within three months following the awarding of the contract. Stanley Township will be having a liquor vote as a result of a petition from 300 Stanley Township voters which was presented at the council meeting last week. Clerk Mel Graham said it was the first liquor vote held in the township. The restriction on visitors at Huronview is still in effect. This is necessitated because of the influenza which is still prevalent in the arca. Peter Malcolm of Seaforth piped in Legion president George Campbell and Mrs. Campbell and members of the Legion during opening ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of the building of the Legion Hall. About 150 guests and members were treated to a 14 course dinner and a dance to mark the event. 10 YEA1 S AGO February 8, 1968 A Brussels area youth will appear in Huron County Court at ,Goderich in connection with the armed robbery of the Brucefield branch of the Bank of Montreal, January 3. Robert Stewart Smith, 20, of R.R. 4 Brussels, was arrested Monday in Nashville, Tenn. Smith was apprehended through the co-operation of the OPP and Buffalo and Memphis FBI agents. Smith was taken into custody at a motel in Nashville. J. Howard Aitken, vice president of Signal -Star Publishing Limited, has been appointed to the campaign staff of Hon. J.J. Oreene, Minister of Agriculture until the Liberal leadership convention to be held April 3 - 6 in Ottawa is concluded. The catamaran houseboat was washed up high and dry when the Bayfield River overflowed its banks during the recent thaw. About 300 style -conscious women packed the Legion Hall to applayd Fashion '68 presented by the Kinette Club of Clinton.' 25 YEARS AGO February 12, 1953 Clinton citizens might notice that the students of Clinton District Collegiate Institute have a proud air about them and they well they might. It is not every school that can boast three championship basketball teams in one season. Congratulations CDCI. A request from the Clinton Branch on the Canadian Legion No. 140 presented by Dr. H.A. McIntyre was received by members of the council of the Town of Clinton at 'the regular meeting held on Monday evening in the town hall. A grant of $1,000 was given to the Legion for the purpose of helping to complete the work on the Legion Mehtorial Hall. Gilvert L. Robertson, at1 present Chief of Police in Mit- chell will replace Joseph P. Ferrand who has resigned from his post as Chief of Police, Clinton. To serve with him on the police department is John R. McNichol, presently of Toronto as a day constable and as relieving day constable, John Thompson who is now assisting Chief Ferrand as day constable. Cash specials at Johnson's Grocery: Maple Leaf Lard, 2 pounds for 35 cents; Aylmer catsup, 19 cents; London House Cheese, 1/2 pound bar, 27 cents; Glen Valley Pork and Beans, 3 for 27 cents; spanish onions, 2 pounds for 33 cents. W.L. Johnson and Sons, free delivery, phone 286. 50 YEARS AGO February 9, 1928 Robert Holmes, a well-known citizen and an.. ex -MP for Centre Huron, who has spent the past twenty. years, in Toronto, being surveyor of customs, has been, given leave of absence until July 19 when he will be placed on the retired list. Mr. Holmes will reach the maximum age of service, 75 years, this autumn. Mr. Holmes has many friends in t✓linton and vicinity, where he lived • fbr many years, having been editor and publisher of The New Era, which was recently amalgamated with the News - Record, for a great many years. A number of girlfriends of Miss Mary Walton gave her a kitchen shower at her home on Monday evening, when a very jolly time was spent by the girls. One of Bayfield's oldest lan- dmarks has just recently been razed. The building for over 60 years occupied by the late Thomas Carmeron, harness maker, who passed away a little over three years ago was over 100 years old. It originally stood on the lot at the Sauble Line corner and was moved from there to the lot across from Fred Baker's home. The Clinton News -Record had an item last week about the Clinton flag not flying. What about Holmesville's flag? The council should look after it. Skating party in the Clinton rink on the evening of February 14, under the auspices of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Presbyterian Church. Band in attendance, hot dogs, sand- wiches, coffee, admissiop 25 cents. 75 YEARS AGO February 12, 1903 •' A "measuring" social was held in Willis church on Tuesday evening. The admission fee was at the rate of five cents per foot which made it easy on the short 'uns. There was a goodly at- tendance, the receipts amounting to forty dollars. It was an en- joyable affair, quite worthy of the energetic Mission Band under whose auspices it was held. The News -Record extends congratulations to Mr. James Scott who will probably this week enter upon the duties of post- master of Clinton. A month ago we stated our belief that he practically had the appointment in his pocket and the results have proved how correct we were. Mr., Scott, we believe, will make a painstaking postmaster. The Varna literary society are now holding weekly meetings which arc both interesting and instructive. The society has an excellent staff of officers who do all they can to make each meeting a good success. There is good debate at each meeting, together with a fine program of music, recitations, etc. 100 YEARS AGO February 14, 1878 Owing to the low price offered for cattle, many farmers are killing their fat stock and selling it in town by the quarter. The Signal says the New Era denounced the Teacher's Associations in unreasonable terms. We did nothing of the kind. Read the article again. Last week a number of our townspeople purchased from a peddlar a small package Of stuff "warranted to prevent lamp, c,iimnies smoking and also improve the light." After finding out that it was simply a mixture of salt and indigo, their faith in its virtues was shaken. The vendor now languishes in Goderich jail, having . been sent up by our authorities for vagrancy. On Friday evening last a horse attached to a buggy, owned in town, managed to run away from its owner and after capering aroundtown it started up the Huron Road and was caught at Holmesville, no damage being done to the buggy attached to it. Although it is about three weeks since Mr. Kelly's sawmill in Blyth was burned, the rui?s are still smouldering. The bakers in town have reduced the price of bread to 12 cents per four Ib. loaf. For being,drunk and disorderly J. Lockwood was on Friday fined $1 and costs. What you think III111IIINIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII111111111111IIllll1IIl11I1i'1111III11111 Don't call us Dear Editor: The winter winds and snows are upon us, creating, as in the past, very difficult decisions for many people. "Should 1 go to work?' Is perhaps the most frequently asked question for com- muting workers. "Can you tell me how the roads are to Toronto, I'm going anyway because I have to, but I was wondering..." or "Is this weather supposed to continue or will I be able to go home or to work tomorrow?" Telephone calls such as these are very common to us at the Ontario Provincial Police Detachments on stormy days. In fact these calls during bad weather are so numerous- that people who have legitimate emergencies at times cannot get our telephone line and advise us of the help they require. As well informed as we like to think we are as a police agency, we do not have the information you require as to weather reports and road conditions. In fact, only prayer could answer some of the questions asked. We do have a pretty fair solution to your problem and possibly, if you're the travelling type person, you should cut these telephone numbers out of your newspaper and put them near your phone. Weather station in Goderich 524-9331. Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Stratford for road conditions in Ontario 271-3550. R. W. Wilson No. 3629 : Provincial Constable'' • • Easter Dear Editor: As we approach the Easter season and each denomination celebrates it in a different kind of worship service, I find it hard to un- derstand that most of the faiths have one thing in common. Where in the scripture do you find where the Bible tells us at this special time that apparel is important. It is no secret that even in the same church competition can be great. There is only one place that I can find where royal apparel is ever mentioned. That is where Jesus has a royal crown of thorns and a royal robe placed on him by his per- secutors. Then if that is all you believe, then you better go the rest of the way. Jesus paid the supreme price and gave his life for everyone, even the ones who keep outdoing the other in new apparel, that like an old house is made beautiful on the outside but remaining the same on the inside. Jesus not only died for each one, but also rose on the third day and sits on the right hand side of the Father, in- terceding on each of our behalfs. I really and truly wonder if being in church this time of year is only to outdo our fellowman .in being better dressed at this Holy time of year. • Just what does Jesus mean to you and what does Easter mean to you? Please think on these things. Allan Reid, Clinton News -Record readers are en- couraged 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. The Clinton News -Record Is published each Thursday at P.O. Bo■ 30, Clinton, Ontario, Canada, NOM 1LO. Member, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association It 1s registered as second clau ,mall by the post office under the permit number 0417. The News -Record Incorporated in 1U4 the Huron News -Record, founded in 1041, and The Clinton New Era. founded In 1043. Total press run 3,305. 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