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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-12-17, Page 4• PAGE 4 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1986 Welk Your head throbs to a rhythmic but un- controllable beat that threatenz• to blow your ears off. berate col- leagues uncharacteristically.. for making too much noise while stapling stuff or merely shuffling papers. When the phone rings, you hit the floor while clutching your head. Driven by an unquenchable thirst, you roam the office in desparate search of li- quids. Juices, a leftover carton of milk, even photocopy machine toner looks par- ticularly appealing on this morning. As you slowly walk through the office, •tt, 4 „mole and you get the feeling you should teei guilty about something. If only you could remember, perhaps you could share in the levity and hilarity of the moment. You do recall that bits of broken balloons, party hats and streamers were lodged in your shorts as you struggled to get into bed. You don't have a clue how V V 1 FN,�� they got there. "Hey, how's the party boy?","We sure didn't expect to see you here today." and "Boy, I didn't think anyone would ever have the nerve to do that to the big guy. Do you still work here?" are common saluta- tions offered by, cohorts. Those greetings bring back fleeting and haunting memories of ,slamming a lamp- shade on the boss' head much to the delight of the cheering, unruly crowd. You begin to think that life would be so much easier this morning if only you had dunked your head in the punchbowl, or something equally as inane, rather than involving the boss. Someone then dutifully reminds you that you also got around to dunking your head, and other anatomical parts, in the punchbowl You wish you could crawl away and me. Or at least have a plausible story to offer the life partner concerning those party favor bits in your shorts. If only. It's the night after the office party and sometimes, if you had the opportunity to do it all over again, you wouldn't bother showing up. It would, at least, save you the embarassment of facing all the people at work the morning after your performance. This is the season of the office party, a time when people who work together feel compelled to share a few comforting beverages in keeping with the spirit of the season, and solve all the office problems ( and the world's if time permits) in a mat- ter of drinks, er hours. Quite often, those office parties just create new problems. Pesky problems. And time doesn't always prove to be the healing salve it's made out to be. 1-7-aivci Wr'cfern Ontario pro- fessor, and, expert on public cetenraiions, Frank Manning, says the office Christmas party has important therapeutic value because it allows us to "stop and step out- side our daily routines of work, struggle and competition." Those who work together in offices and factories have special status in relation to each other. In our work environment, we wear certain masks and play certain roles. But the annual party allows people the lux- ury of dropping those masks and roles. For some, the breakdown of social distance and hierarchy is healthy because it fosters a sense of closeness and rapport resulting in a more human level of interac- tion. Others, Manning suggests, are not at ease with the informality. The party also allows people to,turn their world upside down, do their own thing and often get away with behaviour not normal- ly accepted. Sometimes. t t -:r.l-,4Firminn qualities and play outside the office is im- portant in keeping our lives in perspective the professor claims. The professor may have a point. But I'll be damned if I climb into that punchbowl again at the office party. Opinion THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 Godercni SIGNAL-STAR EST ALL POUND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN CANADA fOrcuWu ' Cions 3500 0500 C Beater Nawapapar ComP,0.pn 1 yBa P.O. BOX ESO HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK ®ODERICH, ONT. N7A 4DE PUBLISHED BY SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED Founded in 1846 and published every Wed at Coderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA. Subscriptions payable In advance 662.00, [Senior Citizens 610.00 privilege pard number required] In Ceneda, 660.00 to U.S.A., 660.00 to all other countries, Single copies 60C. Olepley, National and Classified advertlaing rates available on request. Pieria ask for Rete Card No. 18 effective October 1. 1985. Advertising la aoceptad on the condition that In the event of o typographical , the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item, together with the reeaorieble allowance for sIgnature, will not be charged for but that belsnca of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of s typagraphiosl dvertleing goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising Is merely an offer to 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 materiels used for reproducing purpoeas. General Manager Editor SHIRLEY J. KELLER DAVE SYKES DON HUBICK Advertising Manager FOR BUSINESS OR'EDITORIAL OFFICES...please phone (519]524-2e14 • Second class mail registration number 0716 Member:►CNA 0CNA 1.116 it* yl.�� �r z•�,,��'��0 '4 •,46", •�' jam.:. a - - \$? --dR "50A9E' FREE-TI?ATEg )loc/ARE ,/ %F SH/N PM175 �/1/ ®!//DEO TAPES AREN'T NEGOT/ABLE WE'RE NOT POTM/N' AI/LK AN'COOK/E5.ON THE TAB , If you drink over the holidays then don't drive The season of good cheer is around the corner, and many of us during the course of socializing will probably imbibe more alcohol than we normally do. Undoubtedly, if you do drink alcohol at all, the surest safety measure is to know how much you can consume without becoming impaired and to not exceed that limit. On certain occasions over the next few weeks, however, some of us are likely to consume enough alcohol to make it hazardous for ourselves and for others to be operating a motor vehicle on the province's highways. We would do well to give some advance thought to the possible consequences of drunk driving and to how we might deal with situations in which we — or our friends or guests — have,had too much to drink to drive safely and legally. Car pooling and the appointing of a designated driver, who pledges to remain' sober, is one way of reducing the risk of a road accident after a Yuletide gathering or partyysat which alcohol is served. Families can also take a leaf out of the S.A.D.D. (Students Against Driv- ing Drunk) program which has been implemented by several high schools. As part of its aim to eliminate drunk driving, S.A.D.D. distributes a "Contract for Life Between Parent and Teenager." The teenager agrees to call the parent for advice "from any place, if I am ever in a situa- tion where I have been drinking or a friend or date who is driving me has been drinking." The parent agrees to pick up the teenager "at any hour, any place, no questions asked and no argument at that time, or I will pay for a taxi to bring you home safely." The parent also agrees that the matter will be discussed at a later time and pledges "to seek safe, sober transportation home" is ever in a similar situation of having had too much to drink. (S.A.D.D. does not condone drinking by those below the legal drinking age.) If the risk to life and limb does little to deter you from driving while drunk, you might want to consider the fact that Ontario Provincial Police at Goderich and at other detachments across the province have already increased their seasonal roadside spot checks. The OPP says it expects to increase "three or four fold" its random spot checks, which in a typical week involves stopping more than 600 vehicles. Motorists would do well to remember that imbibing three or four beers within the duration of a couple of hours can be enough to impair one's ability to safely operate an automobile. For female drivers it nor- mally takes even less alcohol to push one over the legal limit. Bluewater Centre thanks residents our deep regrets. We commit ourselves to Dear Editor: As the Bluewater Centre nears the end of its first full year of operation as a facility for the Young Offenders, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the staff of the Centre to express our sincere thanks to the citizens of the Township of Goderich, the Town of Goderich and Huron County. Those of us at the Centre have experienc- ed a year of growth and development that will enable us to enter 1987 better able to provide the kind of programming so necessary to help start the process of helping our residents reclaim their lives from the pain, suffering and hopelessness they have suffered, and help LETTERS prevent, in the future, the painand suffering they have inflicted on others in the past. Our task in this regard is simultaneously and con- sistently both rewarding and frustrating. To those many people who have taken the time to express their support and understan- ding we are thankful and grateful. To those who, because of our failures, have expressed their legitimate fears and concerns we extend working diligently and effectively towards our goal of eliminating those concerns and fears. We do not diminish the depth of those feelings. To all those wonderful people who have volunteered their time and love to help us in our task, we are enhanced personally and pro- fessionally by your generosity and presence. As a staff group we wish all our fellow citizens a most joyous celebration, with fami- ly and loved ones, of the birth of Jesus Christ and a safe, prosperous and Happy New Year. Carl DeGrandis Superintendent Bluewater Centre Reader discovers the effects of library cutbacks e • Dear Editor: I guess it is human nature to not get in- volved in anything that does not affect me directly. Every week there has been something in the paper about the library situation. To be honest, I glanced over this not realizing that it would affect me in any way. However, as I usually do, I recently made a list of books and authors I wanted to read and headed for my library (Goderich Branch), if the books I wanted have not been Couple is saddened by death of dog immediately availablepu I put my namel� on a list and waited a week or two weeks, which I didn't 'mind at all. I was astounded this time Dear Editor: when I was told those books were not Our little Snauzer deg was killed on the available and I had no hope of getting them. Saltford Road on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7th Astounded is putting it mildly, I was at 4 o'clock. furious! It has finally dawned on me the im- She didn't suffer and no other misfortune plication of these budget cut-backs. able to come to town, I picked out books for Reading is still a very rewarding past her. time because of the really great authors and When have we seen a good movie lately or books, Canadian and others. To give a child watched an interesting television program? a library card and teach him or her how to If we have to now fight for our library, I for use it is something that will be with the child one am going to fight, because it is too im- for the rest of its life. My grandmother portant not to. helped me to pick out books when I went with her to the library. When she wasn't Joan Grigg occurred because of her crossing the road. We are a retired couple and miss her very much, and are more saddened because the driver did not stop and r say &Jan Johnston Everyone wants to make. Santa's list this Christmas Since early November, everyone and as those running our country or employed 1cecived this past year. I've got a whole their brother have been busily preparing by professional sports teams have also back full of them," writes Johnny. "If you that annual literary ritual known as The compiled their wish lists, which some of must bring me something, make it a hide- , Christmas List. The results began to go them have sent to me for publication bound copy of 'The Rainmaker,' bound, of public around the beginning of December, (probably because I have a beard and a course, with the hide of a certain soggy because, as everyone knows, it is rather merry twinkle in my eye which leads them senator." gauche to start campaigning for Yuletide to believe I am either Santa Claus, or com- ed for a ile,Jean Keith retian s asokhas so give o ask - booty more than a month in advance. pletely off my rocker).copy of Here at the paper we have recently Anyway, from little Brian Mulroney out him something to re9d while he goes back received what seems like several in Ottawa, comes a request for "fweee to waiting in the wings for the next few truckloads of such lists, which the Signal- twade wif the amerikans." Brian says if he years. Star has traditionally published in its an- gets -this, he won't bother Santa with any From south of the border comes a letter nual Christmas special edition. The kids requests fof playthings next year because from little Ronnie Ray Gun, who wants the want Santa to bring them things like Pop- he knows the old gent will be busy, locked complete line of Star Wars accessories, pies, Hulk Hogan or Rambo dolls (it's hard in a life -or -death struggle with the .giant but is in no hurry. He only wants to have it to imagine the belligerent Hulkster or U.S. toy manufacturers. 4 in place by thte$ dRonnie f the nextakes d ade- de warlike Rambo being anyone's idea of a Little' Brian promises to leave Santa Strangely g doll ), or M.A.S.K. vehicles. Some of them some milk and cookies 0 he grants his re- tion of fans Solo or Luke Skywalhe may ker in his even want something called D'Compose, quest; and some cod liver oil and rancid letter, which leads me to believe lie c old probe aan article I would be hesitant to allow into tuna if he doesn't. talking about something my home, let alone play with—but go figure Brian's favorite playmate, little Johnny far more costly than a Chewbacca doll or a kids, eh? Turner, has an unusual request. He doesn't plastic Darth Vader mask. Young Children however, are not the on- want Santa to bring him anything this Coidnidennallyy, Roof nnie alsoa eke "fweee ass- ly nnes preparing such lists. Older ( taut not year. , Eng mentio neap-ssarily, more mature) children, such "especially not a set of knives, like 1 twade idea, but insists that Brian must • • from this angle Patrick Raftis wear a Santa Claus suit to the negotiating table if he expects to get any action. Also from the Washington area, but not on White House stationary, comes a letter from young Bobby Carpenter, who would like Santa Claus to bring him either a new attitude, or a one-way plane ticket to any city with a National Hockey League team, preferably the latter. Bobby latter. Bobby should be warned that traveLto another NHL city Will be hampered by the necessity of mov- ' ing his contract, which must be loaded in the "heavy baggage" section. A fellow who simply signs himself "Hap- py Hal" from Toronto, sends a badly hand- written letter that is hard to read. Hal must be a heavy drinker because although he says he already has a grey cup, he is now trying to lay claim to a cup that ap- parently belongs to someone named Stanley. Maybe he should try and get 'together with this Carpenter fellow? I have a feeling they -could help each other out. And finally, how about something for moi? I'm hoping Santa Will bring me an ear,Iy, Christmas gift–namely a fresh col- umn idea for next week as I used this one up one issue earlier than I had intended. If Yeti bring 0 Santa, just drop it by my desk. I'll leave a half -cup of cold coffee and a partly -smoked cigarette there for you. I usually do anyway.