The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-10-16, Page 15hs
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Susan Huptdertmark
We should talk
about underage
,drinking
I've never been very impressed with
alcohol. I enjoy the occasional glass of
wine or beer but I'm seldom tempted to
over -indulge since more than a few
drinks usually makes me drowsy. Then, I
don't have any fun anymore. Just hand
me my PJ's and my pillow and I'll see
ypu in the morning.
My reaction to alcohol has always been
a source of amusement and sometimes of
scorn to -the people who've nick -named
me "Two Beer Sue." For scone reason,
my indifference and my inability to drink
until I'm sick causes them discomfort.
Whether they laugh or try to push more
drinks on me, I get the feeling I'm spoil-
ing their good time. And, by trying to
keep my glass full, they often spoil mine.
The recently expressed concern over
underage drinking in Goderich has
brought back vivid memories of my
adolescence. Like now (and probably in
every generation since the first alcohol
was distilled), booze was a big deal.
Students seeking status would bring a
bottle of whiskey to school and carry it
around in a purse or keep it in a locker.
The students' council would often hand
out gum to students at the door of dances
to try and throw the teacher chaperones
off the scent of alcohol. And, the Grade 9
student who got sick after his first ex-
perience with alcohol was usually the
reason the next month's dance at my
school was cancelled.
Despite the prevalence of underage
drinking at my school, I was always too
scared of either being caught or acting
like a fool to indulge.
Even at 17, a few months before I
would reach legal age, I was extremely
uncomfortable when a friend talked me
into using her I.D. to be served in a local
bar. Because she had been served there
before, she was confident she wouldn't
need her I.D.
Though I was visibly nervous, we
managed to get served. So, I quickly
choked down a glass of draft beer while
constantly checking the door for the
police whom I was sure would be raiding
the bar because of my presence there.
I managed to get out of the bar without
a criminal record but I was satisfied to
wait until my 18th birthday before going
to a bar again. My overactive imagina-
tion and fear of authority had combined
to ruin any fun I'd hoped to have.
I know I was in the minority with my
reluctance to drink underage. One of the
penalties of refusing (or being too
scared) to bend to peer pressure, of
course, was a lack of popularity in cer-
tain crowds. But, I survived.
I can imagine the dilemma of whether
to drink underage or not is just as painful
as it was 10 years ago. Peer pressure is a
powerful force that can override any un-
willingness, fear of authority or common
sense. Defying peer pressure does not go
without its penalties.
But, I've found the penalties often have
a short sentence. Once I was out of high
school, I seldom saw the people who
made it seem so important to follow their
lead. And, in the meantime, I could
always find friends who were equally un-
comfortable or unimpressed with the
amount of alcohol anyone could con-
sume. Together, we felt good about
ourselves and our different choices.
I don't mean to preach about the evils
of alcohol in this column. I have no inten-
tion of telling anyone whether to choose
or refuse to drink.
But, I can't help but agree with the
staff at the Addiction Research Founda-
tion in town about the importance of
responsible drinking. As they point out,
the abuse of alcohol can lead' to all sorts
of problems as diverse as unemploy-
ment, spousal and familial abuse, crime,
automobile accidents and adolescent
problems such as truancy and pregnan-
cy. The most frightening and maddening
result of alcohol abuse, of course, is un-
necessary death.
Beginning in adolescence, many peo-
ple learn the basics of irresponsible
drinking. Attaching importance to the
quantity of alcohol consumed, many
teens believe they've only had a good
time when they drink until they're sick,
they can't walk or even stand up, or they
can't remember anything about the night
before.
One teenager recently told me she
could no longer see the attraction of
underage drinking after a friend was kill-
ed in a car accident involving too much
alcohol. These accidents, unfortunately,
happen all the time. And, she was baffled
that his friends. who mourned his death,
continued to drink in the same destruc-
tive way.
Habits which begin in adolescence
seem to be difficult to break. Ask any
smoker who took his first few puffs in the
public school yard.
That's why it's important to encourage
the dialogue between adults and teens
about the pressures to drink. By talking
about why we drink to excess, we're
beginning to promote responsible drink-
ing. Anyone interested in the topic can at-
tend a meeting at the Legion tomorrow
night at 7 p.m. on "Community Solutions
to Alcohol Problems.'
Famous watercolour artist, Garham Scholes, was fn Goderich last week conducting a
five-day workshop with a group of area art enthusiasts. The group took advantage of a
brief spell of Indian summer-like weather to paint scenes around town. In the above
photo, Scholes gives Gladys Watters and Audrey Lecuyer some helpful hints in sketching
and painting a tugboat at Goderich Harbour. (photo by Dave Sykes)
Painting the town ..• all colours
Local artists get professional watercolour help from Graham
A group of Goderich and area liesure ar-
tists literally painted the town over the
past week.
Under the watchful and helpful eye of
famed 'watercolour artist, Graham
Scholes, a group of about 10 local artists,
sketched and painted local landscapes,
scenes and buildings during a five-day
workshop.
The Barrie resident and artist has
become one of the country's most sought
after teachers in the watercolour field. His
experience and reputation, for his ability
to create transparent watercolours, has.
been nurtured through teaching tours of
Can• da, .Jamaica, Switzerland and
Frah&e.
Local artist and watercolour enthusiast,
Leslie Zolob has been a student of a
previous Scholes workshop and gathered
together a group of local artists interested
in participating in a five-day session. The
interest was evident and Schgles con-
ducted a five-day workshop here Fast week
through Thursday.
Scholes is reputedly one of the finest
teachers and is known nationally as a
result of workshops like the one conducted
in Goderich, which he has staged over the
past seven years from Montreal to Van-
couver.
He has had 19 one-man shows and
nwnerous group exhibitions in Montreal,
Toronto and Barrie. He conducted
Tarn topage 2A•
Renowned Canadian watercolour artist and teacher, Graham Scholes conducted a five-
day
ivesday workshop with a group of local artists here last week. In the photo below, Doug Darn -
borough finds a precarious perch near the water and strikes a pensive pose in the photo
at bottom right as he sketches the tugboat Daniel Mac. In the other photo at the right,
Scholes gives some pointers to artists Doug Chubb and Leda McAlister. ( photos by Dave
Sykes)
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