Loading...
Clinton News-Record, 1986-12-17, Page 4(THE BLYTH STANDARD) Page 4—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESI)Al__I►ECEMBER 17, 1986 Tho Clinton News -Record Is published each Wednesday at P.O. Bos 39. Clinton, Ontario, Canada. NOM 110. Tel.:282.3442. 5ubscrIptlonjtatei Canada -071.00 Sr. Cltlsen • 118.00 par year U.S.A. foreign 100.00 per year 1t Is registered as second class malt by the post office under the permit number 0817. The Nows•Rocord Incorporated In 1929 . thoHuren News -Record, founded In 1801, and Tho Clinton News Era, founded In 1865. Total press runs 5,700. Clinton News -Record Elnne Morejko Incorporating ANNE NAREJKO - Editor FREDA McLEOD - Office Manager SHELLEY McPHEE HAIST - Reporter DAVID EMSLIE - Reporter JANICE GIBSON - Advertising LAUREL MITCHELL - Circulation/Classified GARY HAIST - General Manager CCNA 64A MEMBER BLUE MOWN AWARD 1985 Display advertising rates available on request. Ask for Rote Card No. 15 effective Oc- tober 1.1984. Hiring Ken Holmes was a good move Once again we should congratulate Clinton Council for making a wise decision in regards to hiring at the municipal office. Ken Holmes has been selected as the new deputy clerk -treasurer, and undoubtedly, will put 110 per cent into the job. As a municipal employee, Mr. Holmes was required to resign his coun- cil seat which will be filled in January, but his 22 years of administrative experience should be of greater benefit to the town as an employee rather than a councillor. During his one year on council, Mr. Holmes worked hard. He was faithful in keeping up with the rigorous schedule of meetings and the demanding lifestyle. He was not the most outspoken member, but didn't hesitate to speak up when he felt it was necessary and he was always honest and straight forward when he did have something to say. As deputy clerk -treasurer, perhaps it is this honesty that will be most comforting to taxpayers. There is little doubt that he and Clerk Marie Jef- ferson will answer all and any questions thrown at them with the utmost honesty. And if they don't have the answers, they'll soon get them. Mr. Holmes' one year on council has also given him some idea of how Clinton's Municipal Office works. He was not as heavily involved in the administrative end, but every little bit of information helps. Best of luck, Ken. We're confident you'll do a great job. - by Anne Narejko Health club is just what the doctor ordered More Christmas music please December. That word conjures up the im- age of snow blowing through Huron County fields, white-out conditions and road blocks on the highways, people huddled around fireplaces in an attempt to keep warm, children on sleds, and of course, everything that is connected with Christmas. The fellow with the white beard and big belly is a familiar sight during this month. If your town doesn't have a parade, they pro- bably host Santa and all his little admirers for breakfast, or have a seat set up so all can enjoy a quick chat. The towns never look better than they do in December. Ornaments hang from light posts and store owners go the extra mile by decorating their windows. All of this glitter combined with the brilliant white snow makes the main streets come alive. On television, the traditional Christmas shows are broadcasted. You know the old tyme favorites like Rudolph The Red Nosed Things in Clinton are shaping up! A squash court, racquetball court, workout room, showers and a sauna could be coming to town if plans by Ray and Mary Garon go through. At a public meeting last week, Mr. Garon told members of the Planning and Advisory Committee that the only similar facility is closing. And because people come from across the county to use the facility,.he feels it would be a good idea to establish a health club here. Clinton's recreational facilities are good, but none of them can offer what Mr. Garon is attempting to. This proposal will not cost the town and taxpayers a penny, but will br- ing people to, town. This will be an advantage for merchants, the town, and in return, taxpayers. The committee, as well as council, feel Mr. Garon's idea is excellent and have passed bylaws for rezoning in order to help put the wheels in motion. Mr. Garon has not yet delved too deeply into the plans as he "wants to learn to walk before we run." However, the idea is a good one. One which all can benefit from. - by Anne Narejko Thanks for Backing Biter Dear Editor: I would like to thank all my good friends and neighbors who made Biter Days such a success for me. Special thanks to the I,ondesboro Lions who led the way and everyone else who helped with the fashion show, baking pies and food, donations, the auction, the variety show, the card games and dance. It will be a weekend long to be remembered. The van is paid for and the electric wheelchair will help me to get around especially outside and at ball games. I'd like to correct the error that was printed. I'm considered a quadriplegic not a L�ttQrs paraplegic. I went to Toronto December • 15 to be assessed to see what special equipment is needed for me to drive the van. Hopefully, I will soon really be on the road again. Thanks again, Ron Nesbitt. Think of the less fortunate during the festive season Dear Editor: Christmas! Before long your readers will he experiencing that loveliest season of the year, so what do they think about Christmas? To numerous people, far and wide it means the celebration of Jesus Christ... God's gift to the world. To children who at- tend Sunday School it means the excite- ment of rehearsing for the Christmas play and singing carols. To many elderly people it means lovely memories of Christmas past. What though does it mean to numerous people in the Developing World?It means another day of struggling to live. The destitute and curable blind have no hope unless some person who feels compassion for them sends $25.00 to Operation Eyesight Universal, P.O. Box 123, Stn. "M", Calgary, Alberta T2P 2H6. This $25.00 will restore a person to sight tpaying for hospitalization, surgery, Reindeer, A Christmas Carol, Charlie Brown's Christmas... The only thing that disappoints me year after year is the lack of Christmas carols played on the radio. Some radio stations play the odd carol, but for me, that's not enough. I could listen to them 24 hours a day! At my house, Dolly and Kenny's Christmas Album runs over and over and over again. I never get tired of hearing Dol- ly Parton wish me A White Christmas or Kenny singing my all time favorite, The Christmas Song. I can just picture those chestnuts roasting on an open fire while Jack Frost is out there nipping at someone else's nose. I must admit that I enjoy the traditional songs the most, but there are a few not so traditional ones coming over the air waves that really give me a chuckle. The first one that comes to mind is one that some people don't find too amusing. However, my warped sense of humor thinks it is. The song I'm referring to is entitled, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer sung by The Rovers. Why I like it, I don't know. Maybe it's the beat, maybe it's the surprise that someone would write a Christmas song like that, or maybe it's simply because the song is lighthearted. Another Christmas song that isn't very traditional but has,..been_around for a long time is about Snoopy's Christmas. I can remember that one from way back when my brother bought the 45' recording of it, and that was a long time ago. The many Christmas concerts we cover over the weeks leading up to the main event will help satisfy my carol addiction. It's interesting to watch the rough and tough guys singing Away In A Manger or Silent Night during these concerts. Even the class bully must turn into an angel because you sure couldn't pick one out of the crowd. Music and Christmas go hand in hand - music is one way of expressing joy and Christmas is a time to share joy. So what better music could there be around this time of year than Christmas music? • ShIIy McPheQ IIaist glasses and follow up care. If the patient is the breadwinner of the family it means that he or she can once again work to provide for their family in- stead of having to beg. A card is sent to each donor with name, sex, age and ad- dress of every person whose sight is restored. I have been fortunate enough to be able to help several people have their sight restored, and it is a real thrill when I receive a card showing that a person has received sight. It is a greater thrill when ' the person restored to sight is a child. What rejoicing there must be in the family. We can never match God's priceless gift but we can enable a blind person to see.... By so doing we shall have a truly Happy and Blessed Christmas. Sincerely, Kay Racicot • Summerland, B.C. VOH 1Z0 Got an opinion? Write a letter to the editor Christmas magic was real cute," one editor told his cronies. s "The little elf at my concert forgot her c lines," another recalled. Most newspaper reporters would be less than honest if they could not admit to finding a little joy at Christmas concert time. Some reporters have been known to crack a smile or two at a concert. Others even outrightly applaude at the performance. There's magic, innocent charm and delight to be found in a Christmas concert. For innumerable years, the Christmas concert has been an important tradition of the yuletide season - as traditional as old Saint Nick himself. A report from the yellowed pages of a Clinton News -Record paper, dated December 28, 1911 reads - "School Section No. 1 Hullett held a very pleasant and suc- cessful entertainment in the school house on Thursday evening last. The turnout was good and the program was first class. The chair was occupied by Mr. T. McMichael, who performed his duties in his most genial style. There was a Christmas tree laden with presents for the children, good old San- ta ClaUS being represented by Mr. Wm. Rinn. The program, which was prepared under the efficient and popular teacher Miss Capeling was contributed for the most part by pupils, assisted by some ex -pupils. It con- sisted of several fancy drills by the girls and boys, musical numbers, both vocal and in- strumental, etc. Amongst those taking part were Messrs. Fowler and Clark who gave several violin selections. Mrs. Norman Carter, soloist; a 'quartette consisting of Messrs. McEwan, Melville Crich, John Carter and James Scott. Mr. Scott also con- tributed a solo or two which' were ap- i cripts tp work from now, excellent ostumes, even professional styled lighting and sound equipment. The concerts are rehearsed time and time again. Teachers grow frantic and pupils become more hyper • as the concert date approaches. Still, the appeal in the Christmas concert shines trhough in the simplicity of the per- formance - of those sweet young faces, in the tender voices of the children. The kindergarten class stumble on to the stage to perform a rhythm band selection, banging out Jingle Bells with their wooden sticks and drums. Let's see now, I've worked here at the News -Record for nine years or so. That means I've worked through nine Christmas seasons. This time of year brings a December calendar that's filled to overflowing with a busy Christmas concert schedule. We cover some seven schools in our readership area. That means there's a Christmas concert at East Wawanosh School, another at Huron Centennial, a play about Santa Claus at Holmesville Public School, choir performances at the Clinton and District Christian School A quick mathematical tally in my , head figures up that in the past several years that I've worked at the News -Record, I've covered more than 40 Christmas concerts. That's okay by me. I love kids' Christmas concerts., I know some other' newspaper people who would not admit to such a claim. Every year about this time the newspaper reporters gather round the pub for their traditional Christmas drink and to complain about the hectic work schedule, what with the flurry of pages to fill and the tight deadlines to meet. In general, newspaper reporters are known to complain amongst themselves about the umpteen million Christmas events, parties and school concerts that they must attend as part of the job. "If I see Mary and Jogeph one more time I'll scream," newspaper reported are known to say. "I refuse to put any more pictures of San- predated, and Miss Maggie Morrison gave to Claus on the front page," another may an eXhibition.off dancilig which was much claim. • admired. The entertainment was much en - We always complain about Christmas • joyed and It weproceedspleasantamounted toome f the26 it's a tradition.windup Then, after a suitable period of playing school term' hard nosed cynics there is a point when That report told of a. Christmas eoneert 75 many of us mellow. ' ,years ago. Today little has changed the e little essence of the school concert. "You should have seen this on guy.u He was dressed up as a Christmas 'tree, It There are, of course, wonderful play well. The younger grades perform the story of the birth of Jesus. Joseph is dressed in his older brother's bath robe. Wisemen wear towels on their heads. Mary carries a baby doll. Angels are gowned in white bed sheets. On their heads they wear tinsel halos. The young actors and actresses gather round a makeshift cradle. An angel pro- claims, "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Ah yes, I remember those words well, as I recall the year that I played a regal angel in our Sunday School play. At the school concerts there will be soe e� youngsters dressed as elves - wearing g tights and shirts that mother has helped to sew. Other small children will be dressed like dolls and toys from Santa's workshop. Their rouged cheeks will shine. Their eyes will sparkle. It doesn't matter that someone forgets his line. It doesn't matter that Santa Claus misses his cue, or the choir does not sing in unison. The delight in the Christmas concert is in the children themselves as they experience the joy of simple pleasures and stage struck excitment. Tonight is Christmas concert night at many local schools. It will be a special even- ing as the children test smiles and' adults renew rtheir f Christmas spirit. The magic of Christmas is still alive and