Clinton News-Record, 1979-05-30, Page 3People in Profile:
Fidoms make Hullett
their home, as they
celebrate blissful 50th
by Shelley McPhee
The Second World War left Holland in
a bad situation and for many people it
looked like the only place to find op-
portunities and land to work and live on
would be in another country.
It was this thinking that took Hendrik
and Maria Fidom and their children,
away from their home, friends and
family and brought them to Canada.
The move wasn't an easy one and it
wasn't until the family was on the boat,
bound for Canada that they decided
they would settle in the Ingersoll area.
But that was 30 years ago. The family
survived, learned the English language
and 21 years ago Mr. Fidom was able to
buy his own dairy farm in Hullett
Township.
Now with their three children, Bill of
Belgrave, Ruth Vanderiel of Lon-
desboro and Tonny grown and with
Tonny looking after the farming
operation, the Fidoms are able to relax
and enjoy the benefits of 50 years of
marriage.
"I like to go back to visit Holland but
I wouldn't move back," Mr. Fidom
explained.
"If after 30 years it's not your home
then you'd better go back," Mrs.
Fidom, in her heavly accented voice,
added.
However Mrs. Fidom admitted that
if she had her life to live again, she
probably wouldn't move.
"I left all my family and friends
there," she remembered.
One thing both the Fidoms agreed
that they wouldjsurely do again is get'
married.
"It was love at first sight," .Mrs.
Fidom giggled as she remembered the
day of the fair when she saw her future
husband walking down the street.
They met on August 22, 1928 at a
special celebration for the queen. In the
next year they built a house and on May
25, 1929 Maria donned a pretty blue
dress and the couple was married.
Complete with a large wedding and a
party afterwards.
Although the courtship wasn't long,
neither has regretted the marriage.
Mrs. Fidom feels that getting
married at too young an age ruins
many relationships today.
When Maria and Hendrik were wed,
she was 25 years old and he was 28.
A farmer, Mr. Fidom wanted to
move to another country to carry on his
work on a larger spread. At'the time it
was the trend to move to Brazil, and the
Fidoms considered going there, but
chose Canada instead.
Upon their arrival in Ingersoll Mr.
Fidom worked as a farm hand until he
was able to buy his own land, lot 18,
concession 7 in Hullett Township.
"I stayed home and did the
housework," Mrs. Fidom explained. "I
still do, but not so•hard as before."
While the Fidoms are hoping to take
a first honeymoon trip back to Holland,
where they have visited twice since
making Clinton their home, they were
honored by friends, neighbors and
relatives at a special anniversary
party on May 25.
Over 85 people, from the area .and
coming as far away as Holland, 'St.
Catharines, Woodstock, Ingersoll and
Listowel gathered in the Clinton
Christian Reformed Church to
celebrate the special event.
The Fidoms are still amazed at the
turnout, the gifts, the flowers, the cards
and the food. They received well over
60 cards and are still eating and doling
out leftover anniversarycake:
"I guess we'll now think of the 51st
anniversary. The 60th is still a long way
away," 'qrs. Fidom smiled
•
I've ribbed Joe ' Clark •and
criticized Trudeau.: -- -- .
I've squawked about the price of
, our gas and .complained about the
quality of our food.
• I claim I'm overworked and un-
derpaid, that the economy is bot-
toming out and that the unem-
ployment rate is reaching volcanic
proportions.
But still, all and all, 1 really do like
Canada.
My respect and appreciation is not
based on blind faith. In fact, most of
the time my loyalty goes neglected,
my country taken for granted.
But every now and then some
particular issue sparks the un-
conscious appreciation I have for
my home.
Two recently seen movies Coming
Home and The Deer Hunter both left
me breathing a sigh of relief,
grateful that I live a hundred miles
north of the Canada-U.S.A. border,
not below.
The movies in themselves were
excellent. The Deer Hunter showed
the gruesome realities of the Viet-
namese war and its effect on the
young American soldiers. Coming
Home, a less violent film, dwells on
the after effects of the physically
and mentally wounded men,
returning to their home, friends and
family.
The Deer Hunter has been highly
criticized by many as an ugly film,
filled with sickening violence.
A letter to the editor in Wed-
nesday's London Free Press
claimed that the moyie "dragged
audiences through the vilest hell it
could think of."
The letter continued, "What an
insult to human beings. In my
opinion no one should be exposed to
these devils. Let them keep their evil
minds to themselves. There is
goodness and decency in man as
well as love and charity."
Perhaps man is good, somewhere
down deep, but when it comes to
war, people definitely change.
I agree, no one should be exposed
to the horrendous evils of war, like in
The Deer Hunter where Russian
Roulette was played with the
American prisoners and by the
money -hungry scavengers •in
Saigon.
Coming Home and The Deer
Hunter were not made to abuse the
war, but to open the eyes of the
public to the terrible conditions that
did exist in Viet Nam.
Jane Fonda, one of the stars in
Coming Home firmly stands behind
her film. It was not made to sen-
sationalize the paraplegic veterans
orthose mentally destroyed by the
war.
It was made, as The Deer Hunter
was, to show us what these brave
men and women were put through
for their country.
For Canadians, the movies should
make us grateful. that our friends
and family have not been forced to
fight for their country through the
draft.
I could. riot imagine sending my
cousins, my boyfriend or the guys
whose friendship I enjoy, to some
remote jungle area with the task of
killing men they have never known
and face the chance of death
themselves.
I hope my country can be strong
and keep control so that we will
never be faced with the cruelties of
war and the obligation of the draft.
At least not in my lifetime.
We should however, remember
well, our brave veterans who
voluntarily carried guns and fought
in two World Wars and the Korean
battle for us,
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Although it's been 50 years, a kiss hasn't lost its appeal to Hendrik and Maria
Fidom of RR 1, Clinton. The Fidoms celebrated their golden anniversary with
friends and family on May 25. (News -Record photo)
Huron heaviest boozers
BY CATH WOODEN
Huron County is the
Largest cons).imer of
alcohol in Ontario, shows
the greatest increase of
alcohol consumption, and
is the worst area
historically for drinking.
Last. February, a group
was formed to do
something about it.
Called the 'Committee for
'Alcoholism and other
Drugs', it is made up of
several concerned
citizens, social workers,
doctors, and represen-
tation from the Addiction
Research Foundation.
The Committee for
Alcoholism and other
Drugs is an independent
organization. According_
to its head, Grant Ellison
of Goderich, the group's
purpose .is "education,
ide-ntification,and.
prevention."
"We recognize the high
schools as a bad spot, so
Seaforth gets
play school
Seaforth children from
the ages of three to 13 will
have an active summer
through two summer
employment programs to
provide playground
programs.
The Huron Expositor
reported that the
ministry of culture and
recreation will be funding
a playschool called, Big
Plans for Little People,
for children from three to
seven years old. Four
local students will be
hired to staff the
program.
The progam, sponsored
by the Seaforth
Recreation Committee,
has received $4,300 from
the federal government
to employ three students
to operate the program.
we want to start there,"
says Ellison.
This September, the
committee is going to
hold a workshop for
parents, teachers, and
professionals.
"We hope to initiate
ideas and methods,"
Ellison says. The group
hopes that by educatjng
the people closest to
teenagers and teaching
them to identify problem
areas, those people can
deal more effectively
with young people.
At a recent meeting
J.W. Coulter, curriculum
co-ordinator of the Huron
County Board of
Education, talked about
what is being -done within
the school system.
Alcohol" "and drug
education starts in Grade
5 and continues, through
to Grade 12, Part of_.the_
health and physical
education course,, it is not
coumpulsaryin secon-
dary school:
Coulter said that, next
year, a "pilot project" is
being introduced. The
Addiction Research
Foundation has provided
ten lesson plans for high
school teachers to use.
Two high schools will
use the plans and two will
use the regular plans. All
students will be tested in
the fall and spring to see
if their knowledge has
increased, and which
plan proves more ef-
fective.,
Coulter pointed out,
however,. that there is a
"significant gap between
knowledge and practice."
While students may
know about alcohol and
drugs, it doesn't stop
them from using them.
Statistics, _are difficult
to gather and keep up to
date. The lastextensive
survey was condiicte 1 by
the- A.ddiction Research -
Foundation in 1976.
Says Ellison, "it is
difficult to appreciate
how vast a problem
alcoholism is."
Goderich gunman
to be examined
Timothy L. Sheardown was remanded to the
Ontario ' Mental Health Care Centre in
Penetanguishene for intensive psychiatric
assessment Thursday when he appeared before
justice of the peace Karen Sturdy.
Sheardown went to provincial court Thur-
sday afternoon facing charges of inteftt to
wound using a firearm, possession of a weapon
dangerous to the public peace and use of a
firearm while committing an indictable of-
fence.
The charges stemmed from a 12 hour drama
that began Wednesday around one o'clock and
ended at 12:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
Sheardown was originally charged with
attempted murder after the 12 hour standoff
ended but that charge was changed to intent to
wound. The 27 year old was sent to
Penetanguishene for a period of not less than 30
days and not more than 60 days. A tentative
court date of July 16 was set.
1
CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1979—PAGE 3
Hensall bride -elect honored
•
'sy
Bertha MacGregor
Mrs. June Potter was
hostess at the home of
Mrs. Ross Corbett for a
surprise shower in
honour of Miss Janine
Hackney, bride -elect of
June. Mrs. Marilyn Blake
read the address,
welcoming Janine into
the Taylor family.
Little Misses Jennifer
Pollock and Tina Driscoll
assisted Janine with the
many lovely gifts which
she received. The guest of
honour thanked one and
all for the many gifts and
the delightful evening.
Tea and a social hour
followed. '
South Huron
Youth for Christ
The Board members
and families of the South
Huron Youth for Christ
entertained the Teams of
the Bible Quiz on the
Book of Galatians. The
teams were as follows :
Mrs. Keith Gingerich's
team, Ruth Gingerich,
Julie Armstrong, Jackie
Thornton, Karen Thor-
nton, Wendy Oesch,
Darla Gingerich, Anita
Gingerich, Maureen Erb;
Edgar Cudmore's team,
Robin Little, Paul Perry,
Paul McAuley, Betty
Neevel, Carey Ann Van
Wieren, Shelley Little,
Dianne Rundle, Joan Van
Essen.
Following a swim party
at the Vanastra Pool, the
members were .en-
tertained at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Rath -
well, Vanastra, who is the
Director . for the South
Huron Youth for Christ. A
barbecue was enjoyed by
all followed by a social
hour of music and
singing.
Lodges -
attend worship
The Independent Order
0f Oddfellow Lodges,
Amber Rebekah Lodge,
The Cantons of Watford,
and L.A.P.M. of London
attended the worship at
Carmel Presbyterian
Church on Sunday and
were addressed by Rev.
A. C. Young of Goderich,
who spoke on the subject
"Things that keep us
from God".
The choir, under the
direction of Mrs. Robert
Taylor, sang the anthem,
"I Have Found My
Lord", and following the
service, an hour of
fellowship was enjoyed at
the local Hall.
This Sunday June 3
will be the anniversary of
Carmel Presbyterian
Church when the guest
minister will be Rev. Dr.
Douglas Fox of Huron
College, London. Miss
Sylvia Bell will be guest.
soloist for the service.
Socials
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Flynn
visited on Sunday with
Mrs. Flynn's brother-in-
law and sister, Mr. and
Mrs. Roy Allison in
Toronto.
Mrs. Don Gooding and
Miss Dale Gooding were
recent visitors with the
former's mother, Mrs.
Edgar Munn.
The grade 8 pupils of
Hensalla Public School,
under the direction of
teachers Mr. Pearson
and Mrs. Jacobi, enjoyed
a camp -out at ' Camp
Silvan for three days this
week.
Mrs. George Thompson
is a patient in South
Huron Hospital, Exeter
where she is receiving
treatment.
Miss Agnes Cochrane,
who has been receiving
treatment in South Huron
Hospital, Exeter, has
been transferred to the
Queensway Nursing
Home.
Honorary pallbearers
at the funeral of the late
Rev. Orval Michael
Jantzi were Joe Martin,
Curtis Gingerich,
Wallace Gingerich, and
Earl Desch. Pallbearers
were Ken Gingerich,
Keith Gingerich, Ken
Gascho, Albert Clausius,
Neil Gingerich, Harvey
Martin.
Queensway news
"Welcome" new
residents at Queensway
Nursing Home : Miss
Agnes Cochrane, Hensall
and Mr. Wallie Crich,
Clinton.
Visitors with Russell
Erratt were Lee and
Anna McConnell, Helen
and Cathy Taylor, Joyce
Boussey and baby Clay,
Ryan and Tim Proctor.
Visitors with Louise
Mitchell were her son
Les, Mr. and Mrs. Orbie
Hestle and Mrs. Hazel
Snell, and Mrs. Elizabeth
Volland was visited by
her daughters, Mrs.
Beatrice Taylor and Mrs.
Irene Finlayson..'
On Saturday, Mrs.
Irene Kalbfleisch was
visited by her grand-
daughter, Heather
Dougherty, who was
married to Kevin
Buchanan. and her
daughter and son-in-law,
Mr. and . Mrs. Harry
Dougherty, following the
wedding ceremony ' -
THE TIME
HAS
COME
For Celebration Days. Our expansion will
be completed...and it's our 4th Anniver-
sary. It's happening Thurs.-Friday-Sat.,
June 7-8-9. Watch next week's paper for
details.
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AGAIN
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