The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-09-23, Page 4PAGE 4--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1987
I spent a miserable two weeks in a
quaint ball yard at Michigan and
Trumbell on Saturday.
In terms of elapsed time it may only
have been three hours but if felt like days
as I was unduly subjected to the insipidi-
ty of Detroit Tiger fans.
The only redeeming factor about being
in Detroit last Saturday, was that Pope
John Paul II, who appeared before a par-
tisan Polish crowd in the suburb of Ham-
tramck at an entirely unrelated sporting
event, venerably parted the skies and
allowed for the development one of the
most gorgeous afternoons for baseball, or
pope watching, depending on one's spor-
ting inclinations.
In retrospect, I should have made the
pilgrimage to Hamtramck. There, at
least, the outcome was never really in
doubt and no-one took sides or seriously
disputed bad or close calls.
DAVE SYKES
But at Tiger Stadium, a summer
playground haunted with the memories of
the likes of the famous Ty Cobb, Hank
Greenberg, George Kell, Al Kaline, Nora!
Cash and, more recently, Jack Morris,
Darrell Evans, Allan Trammell and
young Mathew Nokes, 1 was part of a
handful of Blue Jay fans.
A pennant drive can do strange bungs
to people. In fact, sports in general has
the ability to reduce reasonably sane
humans into drooling, screaming idiots.
After the recent, dramatic Canada Cup
victory by Canada over the Soviet Union
in the third game of the best -of -three
hockey series, the offical Soviet news
agency Tass, commented that Canadian
hockey players were talented, spirited
and unrelenting in their desire to win and
deserving of their victory.
The fans, however, didn't fare so well
in the assessment of the Russians cover-
ing the series. In their opinion, Canadian
hockey fan.;, at least the ones in evidence
at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, were
overzealous, crazy and bordering on
weird. The press coverage made
reference to screaming fans, many of
whom had painted their faces in the col-
ours of their Canadian hockey heroes.
Behaviour unheard of in the Soviet
Union. Siberia, maybe, but not the Soviet
Union proper.
Quite simply, though, sports has the
ability to pit friend against friend,
neighbour against neighbour, Maple Leaf
fans against intelligent life forms and
Blue Jay fans against the rest of the
established baseball world. •
But, the fact that peoople are given a
choice gives therm the opportunity to
make less than intelligent selections.
Blue Jay fans, by virtue of their
allegiance, are among the most erudite
and knowledgable fans in baseball.
Regardless, on a van trip to Detroit
last weekend, the few Blue Jay fans in at-
tendance became the object of much
derision and ridicule. And we were at a
distinct disadvantage as the Tigers won
! they continue to win tnrougn tracKery,
deceit and other surreptitious means 1
defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2
while the scoreboard in Detroit told a sad
tale from New York where the Yankees
defeated the Jays 4-2.
First place belonged to the Tigers. The
fans stood, they clapped, they cheered
wildly and generally became obsessed
witht their good fortune.
It was difficult to be Jays fan in the
face of adversity, but we weathered the
storm and watched grimly while Tiger
fans held their parade.
The bond between and individual and
his favorite athlete or team is a strong
one; one that drives people to desparate
depths.
This pennant race is going to drive me
crazy over the next week and half. I'm
already beginning to drool from the
Detroit experience.
Opinion
THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT
SINCE 1848
G 0t
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LL WN=
u1964
SIGNAL -STAR
P.O. BOX 220 HUCKINS ST. INDUSTRIAL PARK GODERICH, ONT. N7A 486
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Meaningful commitment
There are many noble associations quietly chipping away at inequitable situations within
our societal structure and Big Brothers .is one group that has figured prominently in the
lives of many Canadian boys and 'men.
September is Big Brother Month in Canada and it gives us the opportunity not only to
reflect on the fine work of this organization but also to appeal to volunteers.
A story in this week's paper suggests that men who volunteer for Big Brothers don't have
9 to be gifted athletes, high -placed business executives, community leaders or any type of
"hero". Rather, they need the time of any male over 18 years of age who is able to give a lit-
tle of himself, to spare some time, compassion and share some thoughts and aspirations
with a young boy who may desperately need a role model or simply a male perspective.
Within the North Huron District, 12 matches exist but President, Catherine Boddy says at
least six more boys need big brothers and other volunteers are required for committee and
administrative work.
The screened applicants spend three or four hours a week with their little brother and a
commitment of a year or two is required. After a reorganizational meeting, the group is
looking for more big brothers and volunteers. If you have the time to contribute to this wor-
thy venture, contact Catherine Boddy at 524-9132 or Ralph Smith at 482-7295.
If you have some time, then think it over. There is a young boy who may need your help,
guidance, and companionship. Don't be afraid of the commitment, it can be meaningful for
both of you. D.S.
•
Doomsday delayed
It's difficult for the average person to get a clear picture of the global peace -war situation,
when one day's news contains word of an impending arms reduction deal and the next day
brings a story of violent military action.
Still, even in light of the U.S. bombing of an Iranian vessel, apparently caught planting
underwater mines in the much -contested Persian Gulf, the world has a right to be heartened
at news that an "agreement in principle," to scrap about 2,000 intermediate-range missiles
has been reached between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The agreement is encouraging enough, that the Educational Foundation of Nuclear
Science, is considering moving back the hands on the "Doomsday Clock,” which it sym-
bolically created in 1947. The hands on the clock, Which started out at seven minutes to mid-
night, have been moved up to three minutes to midnight following such historic events as the
first Soviet atomic bomb test and the first U.S. hydrogen bomb explosion.
Still, we're a long way from stopping the clock altogther, as American Secretary of State
Geoge Shultz pointed out.
"This doesn't solve all the problems by a long shot. But you've got to start and I think this
does get us going and I think it's very significant," he said.
Intermediate range weapons represent about four per cent of the total U.S. and Soviet
nuclear arsenals, so, in that respect, the deal may not seem to be all that far reaching.
However like anything, the importance and ultimate effectiveness of this deal is all you
view it.
Do we shrug out shoulders and concede the two superpowers still have 96 per cent of their
nuclear capablity left, or do we take up the reins and say they now have four per cent less
missiles, why stop there?
The superpowers' next target. is an eventual 50 per cent reduction in more deadly long-
range missiles. Let's all hope the current spirit — call it "Glasnot," call it sanity — prevails
long enough for them to reach that goal. - P.R.
St. George's Church installs
a heating system worth $11,000
50 YEARS AGO
September 22, 1937
An audience estimated at 1,000 assembl-
ed at the West Street rink on Monday night
was disappointed in not having an oppor-
tunity of hearing the Conservative leader,
Hon. Earl Rowe, who.was announced was
indisposed having attracted a throat ail-
ment over the weekend. In his place came
Denton Massey, MP of Toronto; who gave
the principal address of the evening. Other
speakers were the two local candidates Dr.
R.H. Taylor and W.H. Logan, Mrs. G.T.
Cockshutt of Brantford, president of the
Women's Conservative Association of On-
tario and A.B. Douglas, K.C. of London,
president of the Western Ontario Conser-
vative Association.
In all probability an attempt will be
made by the women of Goderich to invade
the inner sanctum of the Town Hall by
nominating one of their number for a place
in the"Town Council at the next municipal
election. The matter arose at a largely at-
tended meeting of the Local Council of
Women at MacKay Hall on Monday after-
noon. It was suggested that Town Council,
which represents hundreds of women in
half -a -dozen Goderich societies and
organization, sponsor an independent can-
didate
andidate for the Federal House.
September 27, 1962
St. George's Anglican Church is install-
ing a new heating system at a cost of
LOOKING BACK
$11,000 and the Board of Management
plans to take care of most of the amount
right away, in cash or pledges, so that as
little as possible need to be borrowed.
The official opening of the new Ontario
Hospital on Highway 21, three miles south
of Goderich, has been set for Tuesday, Oc-
tober 23. This date was announced .by the'
Hon. M.B. Dymond, M.D., Minister of
Health for Ontario, in a letter to the Signal
Star early this week. Present for the
ceremony will be Ontario Prime Minister
the Hon. John P. Robarts, and other
government officials. The new $3,5000,000
hospital within four weeks of its opening, is
receiving the final polishing and fur-
nishing in preparation for its first patients.
While it is ar Qssipility that a few patients
may be admitted prior to the opening, the
main influx will not begin until later in the
year. At that time, Huron County patients
now resident in the London hospital, will
be transferred to the Goderich
establishment.
Goderich Police Commission met in
town council chambers Monday morning
to interview three applicants for the posi-
tion on the town police force recently
vacated by the resignation of Constable
Alex Sellar. Chosen from the three ap-
plicants was Douglas C. Foley, Ilderton,
who will assume his new duties next week.
75 YEARS AGO
September 27, 1917
At town council, it was decided that the
rate for this year is 37 mills. This will raise
over $72,000 of Texas—Toronto Company
offers to supply town with any quantity of
'hard or soft coal and several new stretches
of sewers to be constructed.
Ahmeek Chapter IODE wishes to thank
all those who helped in any way with the
collecting of papers sent away in the early
part of summer, particularly those people
who loaned their cars and those who
helped with the baling and the packing.
The handsome sum of $100.25 was cleared
by the sale of papers and the TODE'intends
collecting again in the spring.
Housekeepers will kindly save their waste
paper until then.
By the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. King of
Smith's Art Store, a number of townspeo-
ple enjoyed the exquisite beauty of a night
blooming cereus which flowered on Friday
evening of last week. All who had the
pleasure of viewing the large pendant
blossom exclaimed in wonder at its
loveliness and sweet fragrance. As seen
through a magnifying glass, the fully open-
ed flower seemed like the palace of some
flower fairy, so delicate was it in colour
and so perfect its white satin petals.
61211190,
Some people were just not meant to be
winners — and you're reading one of
them.
Over the years, I h'ave purchased
countless lottery tickets, entered no end
of draws and participated in a variety of
pools. My number never comes up, my
ticket is never drawn, and my picks in-
variabley do no pan out.
That is, until this fall.
The editor of this publication has, for
years, invited me to participate in the
football pool he runs each year with great
zeal. His zeal to include me only seems to
increase when I inform him I don't follow
NFL football (or any football except for
the occasional Grey Cup game for that
matter), don't completely understand the
game and can't even name half the
teams in the league.
"You don't have to know anything
about it," he assured me, while display-
ing the same glint in his eye that poker
players get when a newcomer sits down
and"asks "How many tricks do I have to
take to get a point in this game?" The
term "pidgeon" springs to mind.
However, 1 finally relented to join the
darn thing and — wonder of wonders -- I
actually finished among the leaders for
the first two weeks, won it outright the
very first time.
Other participants seemed slightly an-
noyed to learn I based my selections on
such indepth knowlege of the teams as to
place my bet on the team reported to
have the most enthusiastic squad 'of
cheerleaders. In some cases, I placed my
bet on the teams whose first-string •
quarterback I could name. This method
accounted for exactly two of my picks
each week.
That fact that such un -scientific wager-
ing could pay off surprised no one more
than myself. After all, here was the man
who drafted seven ( count 'em) New York
Rangers, in last winter's playoff hockey
pool, actually leading the way in a foot-
ball pool. What was next?
Would Jimmy The Greek be asking me
to take over the task of oddsmaking?
Would Mike Ditka be calling me for ad-
vice on how to handle Jim McMahon?
Not likely, but who cares? I wash actual-
ly winning at something.
Then, of course, came the inevitable
bursting of my bubble, at the hands of
Gene Upshaw and the National Football
League Players Association.
I can picture the meeting of team
representatives now.
"Okay guys," Players Association head
honcho Gene Upshaw announced. "This
is serious. Not only are the owners
treating us like chattels and generally
abusing our rights as sports celebrities —
from
this
angle
Patrick Raftis
but up there in Canada, Raftis is winning
the football pool. I say we strike, before
this goes any further."
1
Upshaw's announcement, of course,
was greeted with cries of "Solidarity
Forever," and "Down with Raftis," as
the players voted overwhelmingly to
commence what could, in all probablity
become a season -ending strike.
To heck with you Upshaw — I may not
be finished yet. The owners have vowed
to continue to play, using players
previously cast off as incapable of play-
ing professional football. If they do, I
may be at an advantage. I may even
volunteer to play myself.
While others in the pool, who base their
selections on knowledge of players'
strengths and weaknesses may be at a
disadvantage in choosing winners from
teams made up of NFL rejects, I will
know just as much about these players as
1 did about the striking regulars.
By the way? Did the cheerleaders go
on strike too?