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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-03-18, Page 4PAGE 4—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,1981 Sykes BLUE RIBBON AWARD Second-class , 'moil registration number -0716 I don't want to play anymore. If this is someone's idea of spring, I don't like it. The whole matter should be given some serious reconsideration or at least sent somewhere for major repairs and ad- justments. Leo you believe this weather? It's a cruel joke to play on .unsuspecting idiots like myself. Afterall, the winter underwear,the ones with the fur lining and insulation baits, just got neatly tucked to the back of the drawer, when winter took onemore unrelenting swipe at this fragile bod. Somehow it doesn't quite seem fair. This Friday, March 20, signals the arrival of spring in most parts of the civilized world. Little buds begin to sprout on tree branches, green things shakily poke through the ground, the Toronto Maple Leafs pack up for `a golf vacation and the oil man leaves the SINCE 1848 THE NEVUS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT founded in 1N0 and published every Wednesday at Cioderkh, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OWNA. Adver- tising rotes on request. Subscriptions payable In advance '17.50 In Canada. '55.00 to U.S.A., 675.00 to all other coun- tries. single copies SO'. Display advertising rates available on request. please ask for Rote Card No. 10 effective Oc- tober 1, 1010. Second class mall Registration Number 07111. Advertising Is -accepted on the condition that In the event of typographical error. the advertising space occupied'by the erroneous Nem. together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement willbe paid for at the ap- plicable rate. In the went of a typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price. goods or services may not be sold. Advertising 1s merely on offer **sell. and may be withdrawn at any time. The Signal -Star Is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts. photos or other materials used for reproducing pur- poses.. PUBLISHED BY:SIGNAL-STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER-President and Publisher DONALD M. HUBICK-Advertising Manager DAVID SYKES-Editor P.O. BOX 220, HUCKI,NS-ST-t INDUSTRIAL PARK GQDERICH N7A 466 premises, content Uiat Lne cast niche' IIdS been siphoned from my pocket. To me that's spring. A communal celebration of the emergence of life between man and nature or something philisophical like that. This business of bitingly cold winds, blowing• snow and treacherous driving conditions must cease cause I can't cope anymore. If this responsible piece wreaks of petulance then I must admit to being a bit of a whiner. Not to be confused with wino. Hopefully, I am of the mold of most Canadian citizens in seeking a better deal weather- wise. . Spring and summer just seem to strike a nostalgicand romantic chord. I just want to see birdie do do on my car hood again, young girls in bathing suits and other scanty outfits, feel the crunch of insects on my windshield, step on caterpillars and assorted surprises from neighbourhood dogs in my bare teet, watch the garden turn a sickly brown and die, drink comforting beverages to combat heat and humidity, barbecue in the rain, contract an irritating rash and watch young girls in bath...sorry, already mentioned that ane. Anyway, readers can judge from „ the previous list that warm weather and rely ed fun things hold much sentimentality for is scribe. There is just something about warm climate that brings out my better nature but this week I am having serious doubts about the arrival of spring. It has led me to wonder if such a season really exists or if it is simply a propoganda .,campaign to keep our expectation level at a Peak, Coincidentally, when spring arrives at three minutes after noon on Friday, there will also be a fill moon that day. Apparently it's a big deal, a phenomenon that occurs only once every hundred years or so. A doctor of physics claims the equinox is the most important of anyone's personal life in the century. The whole thing has somethingto do with the brain's sensitivity to light, which is high during a fool moon equinox. In all modesty, I am of the opnlon that my own thinking apparatus (brain) is sensitive in light, dark and...well at all times. The evidence speaks for itself. But when the full moon equinox greets spring Friday it doesn't mean that gloom and doom will inundate our lives. Many positive things can affect our lives on this day. Considering the sensitive nature of my brain and the full moon coinciding with the arrival of spring, I can't wait to see what great things happen in my life Friday. With my luck I will get hit by a truck. :AOR-BODSIOESS OR1DC'F®RIAL-OFFICIi~S Masse -phone ( 19) 524-3331 The silent enforcer Would you object to your child being strapped in school as a disciplinary measure? The use of the strap or corporal punishment is a con- tentious issue and one that the Ministrynf Education has taken a vague stand on. The Minister of Education, Bette Stephenson, is soliciting continents from boards ef education on the very subject. Stephenson is proposing an amendment stating that teachers and principals refrain from the use of physical force in disciplining a pupil ex- cept acept to protect himself or another pupil. While boards of education are now gathering comments and data on the subject, the Minister's mind is apparently made up. Perhaps she is just seeking confirmation. But . the entire tone of amendment reeks ambiguity. If teachers and principals are to, refrain from the .use of physical force, the terms must be sf iiply defined. It is prone to interpretation by each, individual. What is physical force to one teacher is simply a routine disciplinary measure to another. in Huron County the strap is used to some extent and Director of Education, John Cochrane .said there has never been any feedback from parents whose children have jc^.n disciplined in that manner. The use of the strap is left to the discretion of each principal of each school. Should principals have the right to decide if pupils can or cannot be disciplined by being strapped. Do parents, really care? The board of education would like to get some parental comments before making their submission to the Ministry of Education. This paper would also like to know what parents and ratepayers think about physical force and its place in the education system. Use of the strap is not a common or widespread prac- tice. That decision is left up to the principal. But the fact remains that even the presence or threat of the strap is likely to prey on students minds and act as a silent enforcer. Without the threat of the strap studenis may become flippant about disciplinary measures- and it may lead -to a subsequent disregard for authority. If you think the strap has a place in the education system, let us know and if not, tell us why. Right now, the education act says that teachers may act in the manner of any kind,sfirm and judicious parent. That too, isopen,tointerpretation. DS. Leadership cited as main issue On Thursday, March 19 residents of Ontario will have a chance to exercise their democratic right in the 32nd provincial election. The Conservatives will again be looking to form a majority government a position they unwillingly surrendered in 1977, winning 58 out of 125 seats. The Liberals narrowly retained opposition status winning 34_ seats compared to 33 for the New Democratic Party. The election will interesting one,not only across 1IIG be an ir■uca ca ag � the province, but in the two local ridings of Huron -Bruce and Huron-Middlesex,aa well. ' The Liberal Party lost a fine man in Huron -Bruce with the retirement of Murray Gaunt, who served his con- stituents in the Legislature for over 18 years. Wingham lawyer Murray Elston will carry the party banner this time around against Conservative candidate Garry Harron and NDP hopeful, Tony McQuail. In Huron -Middlesex, Liberal -incumbent Jack Riddell faces a challenge from the Conservative candidate, Jim Britnell, a former county engineer. Gwen Pemberton of Bayfield will try to improve upon the NDP's showing in the riding after the party settled for six per cent of the vote in the 1977 election. The election hasn't seemed to ruffle Ontario voters to this stage and the campaign for the most part is just sliding r along. If there is a genuine interest in the proceedings on behalf of voters, that interest is being masked. The leaders, and Premier William Davis in particular, have met -with the occasional stormy protest during the campaign, but the incidents have been few and isolated. Leadership has been labelled as the main issue in the election campaign and Premier Davis and Liberal leader , Dr. Stuart Smith, have relentlessly attacked each other, party policy and advertising ca■mpaigna. NDP leader Michael Cassidy has simply pumped the electorate with party policy and programs. - A poll conducted by the Toronto Star suggests the Con- servatives will form a majority government. The leadees have either dismissed its credibility or used it as a showcase depending on the position in the poll. All parties have maintained that, heading into the final few days of the campaign, their own message is gaining in popularity and acceptance. The outcome will definitely hinge on several urban ridings across the province and the thrust of the campaign has been directed at larger centres-. Voters will have to sift through the party policy and evaluate leaders and candidates in their own riding. The most important aspect of an election is that voters take the time to evaluate their own riding and the candidates and make a personal decision. D.S. Relentless March by, Cath Wooden D EAR READERS BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER If someone were to ask me today to give in 10 words or less the main problem confronting the people of North America, I'd have no trouble stating my opinion. I'd say, "The rrlain problem is plastic people." There it is. Six little words. Six simple words with a world of meaning behind them. My handy desk dictionary says that plastic is. any synthetic op organic material that may be shaped when soft and then hardened. - The slang meaning for plastic is anything that is false or•insincere, superficial or inhuman. I intended a kind of meld of the two definitions. I see plastic people as actual breathing and functioning humans who under sortie social, economic or political pressure have allowed themselves to become molded and unwittingly mis-shapen into artificial, hardened vessels with much appeal because of their colorful ap- pearance and many flexible, immediate uses but with no lasting value as a real or genuine one -of - a -kind specialty item. I'm thinking now of those fantastic multi- purpose plastic refrigerator bowls which have tight fitting lids to prevent spills and leaks. Most homes have at least one of these in use at any given time. They are- so convenient and so useful for keeping things fresh and crisp, clean and odor -free. They stack in neat corners; they Won't break when accidentally dropped; modern versions seldom lose their shape and snap even throughout the most gruelling dishwasher cycles; they come in co-ordinating colors; and they go on forever, their lifespan seemingly' endless. But when you want to make a lasting im- pression on someone, you don't bring the plastic container anywhere near the diningroom table. Homemakers go to all lengths to transfer the goods from the plastic to the handcut crystal or the handpainted pottery. • . • And when you look around the house, you see the plastic is stored neatly out of sight in drawers or behind doors. It is the truebeauty of the fine china and intricate glassware that is displayed proudly as treasures. I have one friend who collects antique dishes. They are years old and priceless. Their value and their loveliness is in their quality, their uniqueness, their genuineness. Granted, she only uses them on rare occasions. It isn't because they aren't functional. They are. She doesn't use them every day because they are so special, so unique, they demand special and unique handling and storage and care. To lose one would be tragic, for each one is irreplaceable. 's So she, like most of us, resorts to the plastic for daily use. She finds it economical and always in ready supply in any grocery or dime store. She likes to buy the newest gadgets to keep ahead of the changes, but it doesn't worry her that the same piece. will show up in her neighbor's kitchen in a week ortwo. She knows exactly what she's buying and she doesn't expect it to be exclusive. It's only plastic afterall. Unfortunately for the vast majority of today's society, they lifestyle. But what is so disturbing and so damaging to so many lives, is that people no longer recognize the difference between plastic living and the real thing. - So many people really expect exclusive joys and pleasures and special and unique results froi;n a mass-produced assembly -line everybody's -doing -it plastic lifestyle. They really believe that if they trot their plastic values to the dinnertable of life, it is going to bring the same beauty and quality to the banquet. That explains perhaps, why so many people are disillusioned about so many things right now. They have put their faith in the functional, the readily available, the colorful, the immediate convenience, the multi-purpose pleasures and the easy to get facsimiles. But they haven't got the real treasures stored away. And they can't transfer the contents of their lives from the plastic to the genuine even when they want to. They just didn't see the difference in time to pay the price for that collection of really valuable assets - understanding bought with'time to listen and courage to hear; peace purchased with sufficient love to be unselfish and enough patience to be forgiving again and again; inner joy paid for with buckets of sharing and self- denial and sacrificial giving. High and lofty ideals? Not really. Every human being is capable of attaining this priceless plateau, but too many settle for the plastic peaks that are easier and less costly to reach. are ready to settle for the plastic This week's installment is dedicated to my brother. Like hundreds of other high school students in the area, John is suffering throw a week of yucky exams. ,' hope I'm not ruining anything for some 6f you more expedient, pinball -playing students who have told your parents that exams have been cancelled this term.) I phoned mon frere a few moments ago to ask him if he was studying. "Sort of," he answered ambiguously. I didn't have to ask what that was supposed to mean. It meant he was watching the afternoon movie and eating toasted bacon and tomatoe sand- wiches and his English notes were sitting on his lap. I then asked him if he studied last night. "Oh yeah. 1 studied all night then I watched the late movie and ate chips until 3,a.m." I could relate. John's studying habits bring Lack fond memories of the mental disorders this former not•so-studious student went through during her dozen or so sets of high school exams. After dinner, when Mother Dearest's right , eyebrow would raise menacingly and her finger would point towardsmy room I would brightly offer to clean up a kitchen. That would take -a good half hou Then I'd take the do for a walk. No parent with a heart couldi,deny the dog its rightful walk. The only time anybody ever walked the dog in my family was during exams. Finally, I'd decide to prepare th study. Preparations were very important. It was a psyching up time. Preparations included gathering together binders and texts and making a timetable of study hours (e.g., 8- 8230, Biology, 8:30-9, rest). Preparations also involved making chocolate milk, and giving mother heck for forgetting to buy Oreos. Once ready to study, I would desperately think of something to keep me from actually sitting down to do it. One diversion would be to phone a friend to ask her if she had the formula for finding the area of a circle. Another diversion involved going downstairs to the family room to 'look for the dictionary'. In reality I was looking to see what was on TV. Afteer half an hour, I'd find thedictionary and troop upstairs again. Well, not exactly troop. I would walk up the stairs trying not to bend my knees. This took,a long time. About this time, I'd get yelled at which in turn would give me the, opportunity to slam several doors to release pent up energy - energy that simply didn't exist during non - exam times. Cloistered in my own room again, I would suddenly discover that one of my desk drawers had a loose handle. This required a trip to the kitchen junk drawer for a screwdriver search. Mother would scream, "What are you doing?!" to which 1 would reply with equal volume, "You can't expect me to study if my stupid desk is falling apart do you?!" I then would stalk indignantly back to my room with the screwdriver and a bag of chips. Desk repaired, appetite satiated, books open in front of the, I'd actually glance briefly at the scribbled mess that was the history of Russia. But only briefly, for I would immediately begin to rediscover all the wonderful things in my room, like my tennis racket which served as an electric guitar, and my ceiling. Ceiling tiles can be fun to count when you don't want to study the history of Russia. By that time, the clock would be rounding eleven. Mother Dearest would wander by and notice me at my desk, chin in hands and yawning. "You've been studying long enough tonight dear. You can't expect to retain all that information without a good night's sleep." "But I'm gonna fail!" I'd cry, bursting into tears. "I bin studying all night, and I'm still gonna fail! " Boy, am I glad those days are over. Good luck, little brother. I'll bring you some Oreos. cath wooden