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Clinton News-Record, 1983-05-25, Page 4PAGE 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNFSDAY, MAY 25, I 1,R18 8 0 N, The Co60muea n icomo .-Otoac rd Is puu®OOetcxst watt: Wean=Idoy et P.O. Sens C9leatome, Oratorio. Camilo. Mal ICA. T®1.: L-J=90a. Smu®oor6®tOon Rote, CmttezeSo • '13.88 Sr. C6t6srroe 99.80 fp./ veer U.S. A. & toms/ire "P119.80 per toter of 10 nosO pored ees emceed deem oerpl/ by BIS% pent mt4,6co uorodor t6sa ppcncw it worsu@or SSS Tho SOoworine nt Ome eepontted On 139B3t&Ts Otey®w Ionic-O3eswcA. bounded In 1�1 erel Vino C16mutmtm Stow 8ro. ®eaeve*.9©e! On 1@S3. I03tel0 pre; romp & FM& ) Inc rpor them JIJF I%L 'TH STANDA D d. HOWAR AITKEN - Publisher SHELLEY McPWllff - EdlteAr GARY IIAIST - Advertising Manager MARY ANN HOLLIEP4P CBY - Office F0 miner MEMBER MEMBER Display mdoort051rt® .otos ooelleOnOo on rogmomt. A A ,or Soto Cord Pato. 12 o09eoatBeo Oct. B. 1®601 Balance of nature Most Ontario residents assume the problem of soil erosion is something that happens somewhere else - like the Prairie Provinces in the Depression years and, of course, immortalized in the U.S. by the plight of farmers forced from their homes in the celebrated book, "Grapes Of Wrath". This assumption is quite correct when we become aware of the over -harvesting of the forests in Third World countries to a critical extent but in virtually all countries to some extent. In the seconds it will take you to read this item, dozens of hectares of forest land will become scrub, or add to the world's progressively expanding,deserts. At this point, if soil erosion still seems like an obscure and unfortunate fact that is happening elsewhere - like starving children - talk to local county officials. They will tell you valuable Ontario farmland, the finest top -soil, is being washed away by erosion. Its cause? Often lack of trees to anchor the vital soil, brought about by fire, over -harvesting or insufficient reforestation. We must begin to re-evaluate the importance of life-giving trees in the balance of Nature. And perhaps no better place to start then your own back -yard? We must learn to seize every opportunity to protect, plant and appreciate a tree. Wow ! What a weekend Dear Editor: Klompen Feest 1983 has now been of- ficially tabbed as a complete success. Wow, What a weekend. The weatherman deserves a medal for his part in that department. However the most important ingredient in any festivity of this type, are the people, and we sure were blessed with a plentiful supply of them. We, the Cominitteie will not be able to come up with a fairly accurate assessment of the financial situation, until perhaps next week when most of the bills will be paid and all cash collected and banked. We are hoping that we will be able to pay off most of the deficit carried over from last year. The move to the Park worked out very well. With all the events more or less in one central area, covered from the elements, the traffic flow was very orderly and con- trolled. The Committee found that while we had much better control and co- operation from the local Service Clubs, we still needed more people to man the admis- sion gates. However we live and learn and if the Committee decides to stage Klompen Feest 1984 we will make a few changes behind th scenes next year. As Chairman of the Clinton Klompen Feest, I want to thank all those who helped in any way to make our Feest the success it was. I do not like to name names in case I miss one or two, so to the entire Ex- ecutive Committee, a sincere Thank You for a job well done. I must mention Mrs. Van amme of Holiday Lodge who has been kind enough to open her home to the Klompen Feest Committee to hold their monthly meetings. Her de,': 'cation and generosity are much appreciated. 1 feel we have an event started now, that is just wonderful for the whole community, one which is giving Clinton good publicity and public relations and giving the people of Clinton something to be proud of. I am proud to be a part of this great utch Festival, which is attracting more and more people from outlying areas near and far to our town. When the Klompen Feest Committee asks for volunteers next year, be sure and come forward. Yours truly, Bob Campbell, Klompen Feest Chairman Political nightmares "Daddy," she said to me, "I had a horri- ble nightmare last night. I'd been wat- ching the news and heard Mr. Reagan say that if the communists weren't stopped in Nicaragua they'd take us all over. Then I dreamed we were all Communist. It was horri ble." "I told you not to watch those violent television shows before you go to bed," i told her. "But daddy, do you think the godless communists are really going to take us over'." she asked. "I mean what's the sense spending so much time studying business practice so I can get a job if the commies are going to come and wipe out all the businesses. I might as well skip my homework tonight." "Don't worry," i told her. "Mr. Reagan won't let it happen. And even if he did weaken. Peter Pocklington or John Crosby would keep the devils out of Canada. Besides, the Russians aren't stupid. Thet've always got a few million square miles of ice and snow. They're only going after the warns countries in southeast Asia. Africa and Central America these days "Rut isn't it true what Mr. Reagan said? First they got Cuba, now Nicaragua, and if they don't stop them in El Salvador it will be on to honduras and Mexico and...'. "Now clear, .1.R will stop them before they get to Dallas. There's no way he'd let Southfork fall to the communists." Seeing this hadn't allayed her fears i searched further for explanations. "You see Mr Reagan knows what he's doing in El Salvador He knows that you have to fight to protect democracy so he's teaching those people to fight for themselves But didn't the Americans do that iii Vietnam?" "But El Salvador isn't Vietnam. Mr. Reagan's said that a hundred times and presidents wouldn't he." "But some kid at school, probably a pinko commie sympathizer, said Mr. Reagan's fighting for democracy in a country that's not a democracy. He says the government in El Salvador is killing thousands of people a month." "Well Mr. Reagan has always believed it's better to be dead than Red so the government is just putting those people out of their misery. See it worked before in Iran ... well, for a while anyway. It's still working in Chile and Haiti. The Americans had to step in and help a little here too, get rid of governments that looked like they might go commie and put in good democratic governments." "But I read somewhere that they throw people in jail for no reason at all there, and the people are never heard from again." "Ah that story was probably spread by the Russian embassy or some of those peace marchers. Besides, even if it was true, isn't it better that a few people suffer rather than everybody have to live as com- munists?" So it's true that the Americans have messed around in the politics of other countries that are supposed to be indepen- dent?" Only to save them from themselves, dear. Some people, you see, aren't as smart as Mr. Reagan." "But why, if the Americans think it's alright to go in and tear down one govern- ment to put up another to save democracy, don't they ever tear down a right wing dic- tatorship and set up a democracy? Why don't they force the government in El Salvador to be democratic so they can fight for democracy'" i thought hard on that one for a few minutes. "You'll understand when you're older," 1 said. "it must be your bedtime." Victoria Day sugarond spice dispensed by bill smiley My readers swrite.. ...... If you've anything better to do, don't ther reading this column, as it's likely to be feverish and incoherent. Conditions for writing are not ideal. I'm sick. Not i11. Sick. Ladies and gentlemen are ill. People like you and me are sick. Stuffed with ai)tibiotics and cold remedies, sucking cough drops to prevent me hoicking up the odd lung, 1 got bored in bed, went downstairs, was driven back up by the horrible sight and sound of my wife doing the Jane Fonda exercises to a thud- ding disco beat, and bellied up to the typewriter to get my mind off my miserable, whining self. With nothing in my head except limitless supplies of mucus ( where does it all come from, gallons of it?), I'm going to let some of my readers have their say this week. For the sake of space I'll edit a bit. Ralph Hodgson of Waterloo, after agree- ing with my comments about the weirdos who han, i e our tax money, has something else to get off his chest: "Education is become too dammed expensive for what we are getting (1 agree)... "You are an intelligent educator, Bill, but how affective are you and your associates? (Thanks, Ralph. Not very)... "The history of education for over 5000 years has had many spectacular results but has also managed to bring the human race to the brink of extinction. (Don't agree. People have brought us there, not education)...." My Hodgson says the best -educated per- sons m his life were his father and his aunt, neither off whom went beyond elementary school. My own parents went as far, or less, and both wrote better than most Ph.D.s and journalists. 11 He goes on: "Perhaps I should refuse to pay my school taxes. How would you like that, .::ill? For teaching 195 out of 365 days this year at say ,,1,000, maybe you are not worth $205.13 a clay. (You're right. I'm worth far more, but they won't give it to me.) ' ("Seriously, I'm truly concerned at the l' rge number of reasonably well-educated young Canadians who are graduating with such a bleak employment future." (I am not concerned. l am appalled). From Frank Somers, a sprightly 76, of North i:,attleford, Sask., comes a solid sug- gestion: "Last week I was impressed by your idea of a !.•,x strike... I have an idea along the same lines which would be a boycott of the liquor stores.. "I feel that anyone who drinks or smokes pays an undue share of taxes. I have quit the smoking habit but my wife still smokes up a storm ... 1t has burned me up every time the Finance Minister says `Let's hit the poor old slobs that like a drink once again' ... (Me too.) "So all the members vote in favor of either raising the tax or putting more water in it. Then 1 suspect that after being so righteous they retire to their chambers, and having voted Down with Liquor they will proceed to exactly that ... (A nice pun, Frank) "So how about a drinkers' union able to lobby and even sacrifice to the extent of going on a non -buying spree. This might make them t 'nk about us and would even be good for our liver and pocket -book. The ad could read BOOZERS and ASSOCIATES: join ANA - Alcoholics Non Anonymous. Let us stop acting like a down -trodden minority and make ourselves heard. Who knows but we might even be a silent majority?" ( Amen. I'll drink to that, Frank.). Alex Lebreton of Chatham, N.B., thinks kaleidoscope we are headed toward a t ictatorship in this country if our elected representatives continue to ignore the wishes of those they respect. He cites the enforcement of Metric as an example. He deplores the futility of the t,position parties to halt the power of the majority. 'I feel that the only solution is to get tough with politicians and remind the that we would like to be part of a democracy." Mr. Lebreton is thoughtful, concerned, and fed up, like most of us. Ed Stevens of Colborne, Ont., would like to get together with me about the "incredi- ble financial mess we have allowed our Canadian governments to get themselves into, and your conviction that concerted corrective action by only 9,999 intelligent citizens can correct the situation fascinates me." Mr. Stevens had already begun such a movement, including a constitution (too long for this space), with the general pur- pose of or, 'nary citizens getting some kind of han,!'e on such things as the cost of government, the current financial status of the nation, the effects of federal, provin- cial and municipal debt on the citizens, and the law, in terms off how to effect essential changes. His ideas are sound. The movement would consist of 20 -member groups (no larger), with each group dedicated to for- ming other similar groups, something like a chain letter. What I wouldn't give to see such a move- ment swell and swell until it had changed Canadians' attitudes from the usual in- dividual's shrub, "What can I do about it?" to a collective, "Let's get off our butts — learn — know — act!" With an enlightened and determined citizenry, there's be a 'lot more tippy - toeing and a lot less riding roughshod and airily dismising deficits soaring by billions, among our politicians. Congratulations to all the people who helped make Klompen Feest another great success. Again they showed the accomplishments of hard work, determination and en- thusiasm. Clinton came to life on Friday night and Saturday when thousands of people visited the town. By the look of our busy downtown on those two days, merchants surely must have had two excellent shopping days. The crowds were lined up at The Arbor door early Saturday morning to take advantage of the closing out sale. We're sorry to see Sheila go however. + There was only thing wrong with Clin- ton's downtown - those damned pigeons. I sincerely hope that none of our visitors were welcomed to town by the pigeons. i received my greeting on Friday evening - pigeon droppings, right down my back. Needless to say i was completely disgusted. i wonder how many visitors to town received the same welcome on Saturday when they lined our pigeon populated streets for the parade' What an im- pression of Clinton' + + 1 And now it's time to think about the Clinton Spring Fair next week we'll he showing you all the lovely queen con- testants in a special photograph series The Hospital Auxiliary will be holding a draw for prizes at the fair and the beautiful gifts are now on display in the Beattie Furniture window. + + + While the Clinton Arena has been a busy spot with Klompen Feest activities and the upcoming Fair, this Friday night, May 27, roller skaters will have a chance to wheel around the rink_ Fridayskating has been postponed for several weeks now, so be sure to take advantage of this week's opportunity. + + + From the Kitchener -Waterloo Record this week comes a report from Korky Day, a Vancouver nudist. Korky urged demonstrators to bare all in a recent peace march. Nudity, he said, is important to world peace because clothing alienates people from one another. The Record commented that they would not want to oppose anything that would prevent war, but they doubted that the relation between nudity and peace is visible to the naked eye. if you want to see some wonderful dancing on Saturday, May 28, be sure to visit the CHSS gym , where hundreds of people will be taking part in the Round Dance meet, put on by the Southwestern I)ntario A.ssociation. 77-7 Round dancing is similar to square dancing, but couples twirl and swirl around the room, just like Fred and Ginger. Watching round dancing reminds me of those old musicals when the ballrooms would be filled with lovely ladies in billowing skirts and gentleman gliding across the Floor. Stanley (:up inners Winners in the Clinton Optimists Stanley Cup draw were: (hie -quarter Finals: ($50. winners ): Chicago vs Minnesota (4 :13) - Murray Butt, Stratford; Edmonton vs Calgary (17:40) - Steve Taylor, Brucefield: Islanders vs Rangers (5:21 ) - Rita Powell, Clinton; Boston vs Buffalo (1 :52) - John Murdock, (:rand Bend. Semi-finals ($250. winners) Edmonton vs Chicago (16:49) - Bruce Er - kine, Goderich Islanders vs Boston (5 51) - Wm. Dobie, Goderich. Final ($500 winner) Edmonton vs islanders (12:39) - John McMahon, (Tinton. the rade Trust Company doesn't issue local ortgages Dear Editor, - Often side stones are idden within the news of the day. Financially troubled Twenty -One McGill, the Toronto women's club, has been sold by receiver Coopers and Lybrand to a group of its members. Save Twenty -One McGill committee member Judith Tait stated they beat out six or seven other bids for the club. Harold Ballard of the Maple Leafs had expressed interest in turning Twenty -One McGill into a Playboy -style club featuring women in abbreviated bunny outfits. After the women members heard about his pro- posal, they increased their financial sup- port to the Twenty -One McGill committee. For Wingham citizens, the side story was that Standard Trust held a second mortgage on the club and had issued a power of sale on the property. How will Standard fare as the receivers sort out the finances? Standard's branch system is spread mainly through small-town Ontario (15 off 19 branches), but Standard does not place residential mortgages in these areas. Mor- tgage lending has concentrated on larger projects that are easier to administer and supposedly much more profitable. Getting the highest return on any Guaranteed Investment Certificates we own is part of our free enterprise system, but remember that sale of property in smaller communities may depend on availability of local mortgage money. Why deposit your GIC dollars in a com- pany that uses small-town Ontario as money milk cows? Interest rates being equal, why not select the credit union, bank or trust company that issues local mortgages? Perhaps Standard Trust might have bet- ter .invested in residential mortgages in our towns and accepted a more con- servative return. Dan Webster Wingham Cs for parents When I have -a child in school, I will... Always ask him w t went well at school today! Boast about the go, ti things he tells me; Celebrate his mistakes 'cause everybody learns that way (but never criticize); Do a ry together, recounting family gatherings, outings, letters and messages; Encourage him to be himself and expect his very best; Forget the' adult worries and remember that he's just a little boy; Gather, go, get, experiences galore! - because out of doing comes the learning; Hug him often - at least once every day (even when he's big) ; Invite him to be the greatest, smartest, happiest child in the world. Tell him that and treat him t tat way; Join in when he's rea,ling or studying, realizing t .,t my actions speak louder than anything 1 can say; Keep on learning myself! - all that I can see, do and be - living life to its fullest! Listen to 'm when he's troubled and laugh with him when he's joyous; Make the difference in his days by men- tioning that we really care; Notice when his hair is combed (at least when he comes down to breakfast) ... when he puts on a clean pair of Levis...doesn't slam the door, or turns the radio down... Offer him opportunities to decide things for himself, wl .. t to wear, when to do his chores, give him power over his life with all the risks that entails! Pin up his artwork, tests, writings, heroes, photographs for all in the family to enjoy, (and call up Grandma sometimes to re- mind her of his latest accomplishments) ; Question his teacher and his coaches often about how he feels he's doing at school and on the team; Relax and enjoy his childho'r,l, read to him often - remember how fleeting are his childhood years; Squeeze praise into every day's time slots, save a private moment for sharing what he chooses to share; Turn the T.V. off sometimes to talk together: At the dinner table before he goes to bed, when he comes in from little league.. Use his talents to the fullest - helping out with the garbage, the dishes, the cooking, at church, in the community, so that he realizes that his presence makes the dif- ference to others; Volunteer when needed! Be that model of helpfulness in school demonstrating that learning is his and my most important business; Wait patiently for him. He may be a late bloomer - a deep thinker - a slow mover; Xtra, extra, extra that's what mom's and dad's are all about! Yes, I'm the one who counts, it is my values and my strengths he will imitate; Zoom ahead together in life, aware and confident that he is God's unique gift to me. WITH MY HELP HF,'i,1, MAKE iT' 1)o you' hare an opinion" shy not write us n letter to the editor, and let ereryone know. 111 letters are published, providing they ran he authenticated, and pseudonyms are allowed. ill lettere, however, are sv'1►jeet to editing for length or libel. tt