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Clinton News-Record, 1984-06-20, Page 4• A1J iht B U IE F' BB iN igorps r it (TH THE IlLYM TANDARD Jr HOWARD AITKEN - Publiihlr SHELLEY MCPHEE - Editor GARY HAIR - Advertising Manipur MARY ANN HOLLENBECK - Office Manager` MEMBER A MEMBER AisAled siktsefl.Ine- refs* e+M91lri140 en r* U st. Ask fee NOW • Cavil. No. 14 effectlrs. October 1. U13. Seniors - live it up Senior citizens. They are stereotyped as feeble, sick, helpless, worn-out burdens on society. The stereotype view of old age comes from the focus on the elderly who are sick and institutionalized. Their difficulties have been researched and profiled and brought to the public attention. Old age can be a unhappy experience for many people. However, the majority of our senior citizens are not old aged, they are as one psychiatrist calls it, "well aged." Better lifestyles and improved health care have given us what's called "an ag- ing population," but it's one that's healthy, happy and active. Nearly 1' million senior citizens live in Ontario and in this area the senior citizen population runs higher than provincial averages. This reflects the tradition of families staying in the area for several generations and the tendancy of farmers to retire in the communities where they have worked. �. In the past two decades area municipalities and higher levels of government have improved services for senior citizens, ranging from better financing, special health care and increased community activities. Locally, senior citizens are major contributors in the communities. In Clinton the town council is headed by senior citizen Mayor Chester Archibald and in area municipalities, seniors take an active part in local politics. As well, many local organizations, from hospital auxiliary to the Lions, from horticultural societies to the Legion, are represented by seniors. They have the interest and the time to volunteer. their help at many levels of volunteer work. Seniors are also playing a vital role`byoffering financial support to community projects. Recently the Londesboro Happy Gang seniors received more than $4,000 in government funding to help buy new kitchen equipment and furniture for the local hall. In Varna, the Stanley Seniors were successful in obtaining a $10,705 grant to help finance furniture purchases for the new Stanley Township Com munity Centre. Goderich Township seniors help finance their community centre project and in Clinton, the Golden Radar Senior Citizens Club is in the process of applying fora New Horizons grant to help finance the town hall project. The role that senior citizens ore playing in local communities is ever increasing. They take an active part in local activities, through their own club organiza- tions. Clinton has the Golders Radars •and Reach Out, (a Dutch seniors club). Londesboro has the Happy Gang and Stanley Township has the Stanley Seniors. Bayfield has the Ever Youngs, Hensall has the Three Links and Goderich Township has the Enterprising Seniors. These groups help local projects and support fundraising efforts. Their club ac- tivities include exercise programs and shuffleboard, arts and crafts and travel programs, song and dance groups and bus tours, picnics and community dinners. Best of all, the groups represent senior citizens as they really are - as active, and independent people who are enjoying fruitful and vigorous senior years.. These people defy the stereotypes of aging and prove that there is life after 60,. -By S. McPhee Behind The Scenes By Keith Roulston Soviet understanding The study of history can save us from repeating the same mistakes in the future, but only if we listen to everything, not ,just what we want to hear. That's why the recent celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the D -Day landings in Normandy were disturbing. Canadians, Americans and British and the other nations that took part in a smaller way in the lan- ding have a right to be proud of what they accomplished. It was indeed a fantastic ac- complishment to put the whole operation together and, moreover, keep it secret from the Germans. The individual soldiers, sailors and airmen have a right to be proud of their accomplishments and feel sad at the loss of so many comrades and friends. But as the flags were raised and the 21 - gun salutes sounded and the media told us over and over how this one day changed the history of the world, I heard the name of one of the biggest factors in the war, Russia mentioned only once and that was by Ronald Reagan who used the opportunity to blast Soviet imperialism (he could use a child's birthday party as an opportunity to blast the Russians) . The. Russians were notpart of the D -Day landings to be sure but the constant remarks that D -Day marked the beginning of the end of the war ignored the fact that the Russians were already driving the Germans back across Europe from the east. In fact, as military analyst Gwynne Dyer noted, the most important outcome of D -Day may be that we don't today have a Soviet -bloc that reaches to the English Channel. The importance of mentioning the Rus- sian contribution to the war is not simple fairness. The Soviets, having started out co- operating with Nazi -Germany and having spied on their western allies all the time we were supplying them with arms, can expect little sympathy. The important point is the future, of not remembering all the past to help us explain the present and the future_ We have done ourselves a disservice in treating what hap- pened in eastern Europe during the war as an insignificant footnote. It wasn't until I saw a television documentary a few years ago I realized just how vicious and devastating the war between Germany and the Soviet Union was. Millions died from the war and from starvation: The scars remain in Russia to this day. In many ways, the war in western Europe was a picnic by com- parison. Even if Russia is today our enemy, an "evil empire" as Mr. Reagan calls it, one must know how the enemy thinks in order to opposehim well. The thinking of Soviet leadership, most of whom are old enough to have taken part in the horrible war, is shaped by their memories of that tragic time when their country was raped and pillaged and on the edge of defeat. They have the general support of their people because of the vivid memories of the seige of Stalingrad or, going back more than a century earlier, the invasion of Napoleon. The country is determined that never again will it be overrun by armies from Europe and its policy is shaped with that in mind. It explains much of the intransigence we in the West find so hard to comprehend. Only by studying the past, all of the past, can leaders like Mr. Reagan understand the Russians and deal with them in a more ef- fective way than shouting insults, insults that may only draw us closer to war. Smokers can puff up at meetings Smokers may go on smoking, in the boar- droom at the Huron -Perth Separate School Board office in Dublin. A motion by Trustee William Kinahan of RR 2, Lucknow at the school board's May 28 meeting to eliminate smoking from the boardroom was turned down. Mr. Kinahan made the motion because he is the board's representative on the Huron - Perth Lung Association. He said that although smoking by other people doesn't bother him, x-rays show the smoke actually affects everyone. ° Most of the trustees said srnoking doesn't Service with a smile Sugar gnd'Sp'ic.Q by Wendy Somerville bother them. However, Trustee Ernie Vanderschot of RR 7, St. Marys, who con- fessed he smokes, said he would be in favor of banning smoking from the boardroom. "I smoke myself, but I don't smoke where I'll bother people;" he said. - Smoking is also allowed in the Huron County Board of Education boardroom but is not allowed in the Perth County Board of Education boardroom. As for other public bodies, Huron County Council allows smoking, but Perth County Council does not. Let's stop grumbling Is your life a cultural wasteland? Do you • do the same old things, talk to the same old people on the same old subjects all the time? Are you scared to take a risk, smile at so- meone you've never seen before, do something the neighbours will mutter. about? Do you want a decent tombstone, not flashy, but dignified? Of course you do. You're a good Canadian. You believe in personal decorum, censor- ship, the family as a unit, and capital punishment. On the other hand. Do you go for a swim at midnight, sing a song at dawn, smoke mart- juana, drink fairly heavily, march in protest parades, live in sin, abhor censorship and capital punishment, and contriveto do something that will offend friends and neighb' Of course you do. You're a good Canadian. You believe in individual liberty, acid rain, dirty movies and sexual irresponsibility. It doesn't matter which group you belong to, or whether you're somewhere in between, you all have much in common. You despise the government, but won't elect an alternative, since you despise it even more. You are caught by inflation and high interest rates, whether you are a 60 - year -old farmer trying to keep the place go- ing, or a 20 -year-old punk trying to maintain his habit. ' You are basically anti-American, though if you were asked why, you couldn't give an answer that was articulate. You feel frustrated, in this land of wood and water, not to mention nuclear power, because, if you are getting on in years, you see everything eroding around you, and if you are short in years, you see nothing but a stone wall between you and your aspira- tions. You wonderr vaguely,. if you're oldenough, what became of the Canadian dream: "The By Bill Smiley twentieth century belongs to Canada." And if you read thepapers and analyze the news, you realize that, while Canada still has a high standard of living, we are very low on the totem pole when it comes to production, strikes, . economic stability, peace, hap- piness and goodwill toward men. If you're very young, you don't give a did- dle. There's lots to eat, warm clothes, and the old man wiil kick in a decent allowance so you can feed the video machines with their war games. But if you're a young adult, just about Wady to launch into "real" life, you're so bewildered about unemployment, and ex- calating university fees, and the increasing shadow of the computer, and the wealth of choices of a future (all lacking in security) .that you can become so depressed you drop out; or dive into a stream, and fight against.. the current. This isn't a doom and gloom column. It's merely a look at our nation today. It is so rife with suspicion, fear of nothing much, anger over nothing much, that we are becoming paranoid. • From the Prime Minister, through the headof the Bank of Canada, right down to your local alderman, you have lost trust, and feel that the ship is heading for the reef with nobody at the helm. This is nonsense, of course. Canada has been going through this miasma ever since 1867, and before. Maybe the guy at the helm is blindfolded, and maybe we have scraped a few rocks, but the ship's bottom is still sound, and we haven't hit the big reef yet. If we do, we can always scramble into the boats, and become the new Boat. People of North America. We've had the French-Canadian separatism thing with us for generations, John A. MacDonald almost put the country on the rocks, financially and politically, but aleidoscope he dared to take' a chance, and had vision. We survived a terrible depression, and came out smelling of roses (and the stench of our dead young men), in two world wars. Cheer up, you dour, gloomy Canucks. When you have to settle for one meal of ground wheat a day, and have to huddle around a charcoal brazier to keep warm, then you can whine, though few will listen, just as few of us listen to the 'people of the world who are doing just that, right now. Forget about the Yanks. If you don't like their culture invading us, turn off your TV set and get out your Eskimo carvings. The Yanks won't invade is physically. Unless they have to, and there's not much we could do about that. If you can't afford your mortgage in- crease, you were probably over-extended in the firstplace. Get rid of that monster, with its swimrning pool and rec' room and pitch a tent. Preferably in the local cemetery, to suit your mood. Pull in your belts. Dump that extra car, the boat and the cottage. If you look at it ob- jectively, they're just a big pain in the arm anyway. Walk to work. Take a bus to the city in- stead of your gas -gobbler plus parking fees. Learn to do your own elementary plumbing and electric work at night school. Ladies. Get the knitting' needles out and make lots of shawls, sweaters, scarves and wool socks. You did it for the troops overseas. And god -awful itchy and ill-fitting some of them were, but they kept us warm. Stop spoiling your children with allowances. Let them earn their own money through odd jobs, or do without. Let's stop grumbling, and get back to a spartan, rewarding life, where ideas are more important than physical comfort. After you, he said; • bicentennial events are in full swing across the province. The impressive progam being staged this summer in Bayfield is a prime example of the exciting events that will be happening. How's your Ontario history? Here's some trivia questions to test your public school education. 1. Ontario is an Iroquois word. What does it. mean? 2. Sudbury has its Big Nickel. What does Wawa have? 3. Ontario has the world's largest freshwater island. What is its name? 4. Norman Bethune was born at Gravenhurst, but who is buried at Dresden? 5. What is the name of the official flag of Ontario? 6. Name the province's second largest city? 7. Hamilton has its steel works, Oshawa its automotive works. Which city has Chemical Valley? 8. What was the name of the well -loved circus elephant that was killed at St. Thomas on September 15, 1855 when it collided with a Grand Trunk train engine? 9. Of what cartographic significance is Middle Island, south of Pelee Island in Lake Erie? 10. One critic called July 13, 1953, "the most exciting night in the history of Canadian Theatre." What happened that evening? ANSWERS 1. "The shining waters" 2. A giant goose 3. Manitoulin Island 4. Josian Henson, the original Uncle Tom 5. the Canadian Red Ensign 6. North York 7. Sarnia By Shelley McPhee 8. Jumbo 9. It is the southern most point of Canada 10. The opening of Stratford Festival. + + + In Clinton, the Bicentennial, Celebrations Committee will meet tonight, June 20 at 6:45 p.m. in the Clinton. town office council chambers. For more information contact the recreation director, Kevin Duguay at 482-3997. + + + Kevin also reports that the Clinton Town Hall Steering Committee will be meeting on June 20 at 8 p.m. in the council chambers. Any interested Clinton citizens are invited to attend. + + + On Thursday night, June 21, Clinton Council will be meeting at 7:30 p.m. to pass the town's 1984 budget. + + + This week congratulations go out to all the CHSS students who passed their year with flying colors, and good luck to all the ones who had to write final examinations this week. Academic awards were given out at the school last week and of special significance were double-majorawards to five students, Margie Wise, Wes Delve, Randy Lobb, Anne Levis and Karen Cook. These students were awarded for their club participation. They took part in more than 70 clubs and CHSS was proud to present the award to so many. + + Sloman Park is a busy place these days. Students from Walton, Seaforth and Mullett have visited the school car and this week jean McKee planted the Trillium design flowerbed in the park. the detailed bed design is being done by many horticultural societies in the province this year. + + + John and Velma Smith of Vanastra celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary quietly with family and friends at the home of their son Reg and Davina and family who served dinner in their parents' honor. + + The Clinton Raceway will make another attempt at opening day this Sunday, June 24. For the.first time in history, rain washed out the opening day on June 17 and to compensate the raceway will be featuring free admission. Senior citizens will also be honored by the track and Ernie Brown on behalf of the Golden Radars will make a blanket presentation. + + + The Clinton Legion will be an active spot on June 26 when the graduation dinner for the Clinton Public School will be served. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. and 175 are expected to attend. + + + The Porter's Hill Slo-Plteh team hosted a tournament held in Goderich Township on June .8 and 9, not the Holmesville team, as reported. Sorry about that fellows. + + + The Huron -Perth Blind Club held their annual picnic at the Crystal Palace in Mitchell recently. Many were present to participate in sports and Martha and Earl Heywood provided the musical entertainment. Dear Editor: We people who live in Clinton on WWianp Street and Princess Street East put up with a great deal from the dust, noise and in- convenience from the operation of the, race track, but it is a little bit beyond belief when someone operates a machine like the cultapacor which needs grease or oil badly at 7:30 on Sunday mornings, After all there are more than senior citizens who like to relax on Sundays. I real- ly do not think it is necessary to do extras on Sunday mornings, After all we pay taxes to live in Clinton on an otherwise quiet shady street. Please think of others. ASenior Citizen Laura Howard 105 William St. Reunion fever Dear Editor, Reunion fever has hit the Ridgeway - Crystal Beach area in Ontario. It looks like the old gang will be getting together again. The old gang consists of anyone and everyone who ever attended or worked at Ridgeway -Crystal Beach High School and they're coming back from many points in Canada and the "USA and even from overseas for this first-ever reunion on July 27, 28 and 29. The Ridgeway -Crystal Beach High School Reunion Committee are looking for strag- glers. Please help us find them. Write P.O. Box 1984, Ridgeway, Ontario LOS 1NO or call 416-894-0842 for details. Thank you for your assistance, Paul Kassay, Reunion Chairman. Tree defense In defense of the pines on East Street — Remember Trees supply the oxygen we need to breathe Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorb- ing the carbon dioxide that we exhale and also that which is emitted by factories and engines. Trees are natural air conditioners. They lower air temperatures by evaporating water in their leaves. Trees trap and filter out dust and pollen on their hairy leaf surfaces. Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers. Trees slow down strong winds. Trees shelter us from direct sunlight on hot sunny days. Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent ero- sion. Trees provide us with color, flowers and beautiful shapes. Trees camouflage unsightly, scenes and break the monotony of endless highways, sidewalks and lawns. Trees give us privacy. Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife. Think trees, your future depends 'on their survival. Signed, A Tree -Conscious Person, Isobel Gibson, Clinton. Student employment optimistic Student job opportunities in the area ser- viced by the Goderich and Exeter Canada Employment Centres for Students (CECS) is markedly better than during a similar period last year. The CECS staff feel the increase is due to a more buoyant economy in the area and a greater awareness on behalf of local employers of the Student Centre's services. It is hoped that this positive trend will reign throughout the summer. Statistic wise stu- dent employment through the Goderich and Exeter CECS offices is up an average of 43 percent from this time last year; with 62 percent more students having found full- time summer jobs. However, the fact remains that there are still a large number of students who have not as yet found summer jobs. They are counting on the homeowner or the farmer, to hire for casual odd jobs. If you have a job that needs doing - weeding a flower bed, cutting a lawn, pick- ing vegetables, baling hay or cleaning an at- tic - hire a student. By employing a student not only will you, get your work done quickly but you will also be providing valuable work experience. Remember - no matter how menial you might think the task, it is valuable. Students can be hired for any amount of tirne - an hour, a day, a week or a month. So this summer why not relax and hire a stu- dent. Just call the Canada Employment Centre for Students in Goderich 524-2744 or Exeter 235-1711 if you have a job for a Stu- dent or need more information. Today's students are Canada's future - please help them. HIRE -A -STUDENT.