The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-02-01, Page 4MAGE 4 ;-GODERI.CM SIGNtAL-STAR, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 , 1979
♦CNA
Godench`�
SIGNAL—STAR
The County Town Newspaper of Huron
Founded In 1605 and published every Thursday at Goderich, Ontario. Member of the CWNA
and OWNA. Advertising rates on request. Subscriptions payable In advance '10.50 In
Canada. '33.00 to U.S.A., '33.00 to all other countries. single copies 75'. Display advertising
rates ovalloblo on request. Please ash for Rate Cord No. 6 °Hectivo Oct. 1,•1976. Second
class mall Registration Number 0716. Advort.0sin , Is accepted on. tho condition that in tho
®vont of typographical error, the advertising space occupied by theerroneous Item
together with reasonable allowance for signature. will not bo charged for but the balance
of the advertisement will be paid for et the applicable rote:. „n ,.the event of a
typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or service may
not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell, and may be withdrawn at any time. The
Slgnal•Star is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts or photos.
Business and Editorial Office
TELEPHONE 524-8331
area code 519
Published' by Signal -Star Publishing Ltd.
ROBERT G. SHRIER — president and publisher
SHIRLEY J. KELLER — editor
DONALD M. HUBICK - advertising manager
Mailing Address:
P.O. BOX 220, Industrial Park, Goderich
Second class mail registration number — 0716
Kids at the
e
This year, 1979, has been designated The ar of
the Child. 'It is a'whole 12 months set aside to raw
attention to the childreyn of the globe ... the little
people who will one day become the big people an,d
the decision makers in the world.
In this part of the world children°are for the most
part well cared for, yet there are exceptions. There
are cases - and everyone knows one or two such
examples - where children are just not getting the
kind of love and understanding they deserve:: It is
sad when it happens. It is often something that is
difficult to change.
When one looks around Goderich and area
though, there are hundreds and hundreds of
children who are happy, bright, enthusiastic
youngsters. They are eager to learn, anxious to be
part of things, excited about life and what it holds
for them. And it is up to this community to feed that
hunger• for knowledge, to do everything possible to
maintain that eagertness' and excitement
throughout a lifetime.
Goderich and the municipalities surrounding
-Goderich might take a lesson from the Town of
Exeter during • The Year of the Child, In that
southern Huron community, the council -has
m?
decreed one day when the children will run things.
One child will become mayor for a day, another will
be the reeve, another the deputy -reeve, another the
police chief, another the firerchief.
In Goderich it is easy to imagine other
possibilities - a child as recreation director,as
bylaw enforcement office, as town clerk,as com-
missioner of works, as building inspector. There
could be a child as airport co-ordinator for the day,
another as PUC manager.The list of possibilities is
endless.
The community might also like to get involved.
There could be a child at the helm of each of the
schools for a day; a child in charge at each of the
' industries for one day; a child managing a bank; a
child as a judge:a child as chief librarian. There
could even be a child in the editor's„chair at The
Signal -Star.
Think what a learning experience it would be for
the children involved. And think of the enthusiasm
that ,could, be generated among the children of
Goderich and area if this sort of a program was
undertaken. '
Maybe it is worth some serious thought.-SJK
Good work (play ?)
There's more than one way `to skin a cat as the
saying goes, but in this part of the world, one of the
best ways. to raise funds is through some kind of an
"a-thon" Just recently in the ,Gode.r-ich.area, there
was a ski-a-thon, a snowmobile-a-thon and a
skating niar-a-thon. All together $12,000 or $13,000
was raised fora variety of worthwhile projects. '
It's really a painless, fun -filled way to make
money, most organizers will agree. It takes work to
organize the events, of course, and it takes work to
make them operate smoothly once they are un-
derway. But the rewards are almost always good
and you have the added bonus of dealing with
happy, willing donors who are involved for the
enjoyment more than anything else.
The Benmiller Foresters raised between $6,000
and $7,000 for cancer with their annual snowmobile -
a -thou. With cancer being one of the nation's most
troublesome diseases and Foresters being one of
the area's most productive service organizations, it
is an ideal situation when Foresters put their
shoulder to the wheel on behalf of cancer.
Everybody benefits.
The Kinsmen Club of Goderich had their annual
ski-a-thon two weeks ago and -raised an estimated
3,000 for cystic fibrosis, the club's national special
cause. Unlike cancer, cystic fibrosis isn't such a
• high-ranking crippler and hasn't become so widely
known as a scourge to be -eliminated. In that sense,
perhaps, it doesn't command the dramatic
response.
But cystic fibrosis is a disease which attacks
more and °more Canadians each year - usually
children - and through the Kinsmen Clubs of
Canada the likelihood of control and maybe even a
cure is closer and closer.
The dance near a-thon. at the high school was
sponsored by the students' council two weeks ago
and was held to raise funds for the three foster
children supported by the GDCI student body. Close
to $3,000 was realized for that purpose - more than
enough - and the additional money will be used for
other student council projects.
Citizens from all over Goderich and district
extend their congratulations to these three groups
of energetic and innovative people who saw the
'needs of other people and set out to do something to
help. As well, it is a gi;,ant thankyou .to all the
generous' folks who donated to these three causes -
either by participating in the events or by spon-
soring others who did.
Community co-operation of this nature can't be
beaten. It deserves commendation and supptrt. It
is one of the best way to get things done, too, or so it
seems. -SJK
Snowmobiles can kill
Twenty passengers were included in the 107 .
deaths known to have involved snowmobiles during
the winter of 1976-77.
This is why the Canada Safety Council, through
Canada's news media wants to reach out with some
"stay alive" tips for all who plan to ride a
snowmobile, either as driver or as passenger.
A snowmobile is as safe as the person who
operates it -and consequently, many safety tips are
really, of the common sense variety that apply
equally to all kinds of vehicles.
There is a responsibility not just to oneself, but
also to passengers, pedestrians, cross-country
skiers, and animals. Here's the Council's basic
snowmobile advice:-
. - Know the rules and regulations of snowmobiling- •
in the area involved.
- Ensure that every potential rider -especially
beginners or youngsters -is familiar - with the
vehicle's operation.
- If a young person is to be in control, first, is it
legal for him -her to do so? Then, does' the young
person understand control of the machine and
behave well in positions of responsibility.
- Start and stop smoothly. Keep a moderate speed
and slow down over rough surfaces.
- Warn passengers of dangers ahead - e.g. low
branches. Avoid broken terrain, and if passenger is
young, check riding posture frequently,
- Passengers: Hold handles, keep feet on running
hoards, and obey drivers instructions.
- A note for all: do not ride a snowmobile after
drinking. Drinkingand snowmobiling DO NOT
MIX. -
Fence sitting
Health care
Dear Editor;
I wonder if- we, the
public, appreciate the
efforts of Dr.
Hollingworth, Dr. Conlon
and others in keeping us
-informed of the
dangerous situation that
we are allowing to
happen through our
apathy.
Next to housing and
land, in my opinion,
health care is third in
line.
Our Government is so
concerned with the
luxuries of our society,
By Dave Sykes
DEAR EDITOR
they tend to neglect our
necessities. These
Doctors, with no political
or`peY•sonal axe to grind,
are doing their best to
keep us informed about
what is happening to us .
Our Government has
made a great to-do about
Horne Care , as a' sub-
stitute for hospital care.
While we• are hale and
hearty, we tend to forget
that we -may not be so
tomorrow.
Have you any idea what
Horne Care entails.
I have prepared a
check list„ of minimum
requirements. Perhaps
you should check it out
and -see if you are ready
to assume these
responsibilities.
A person or persons
to be in the home 24 hours
a day ; 2. A room where
the patient can be quiet
(also to contain sick room
smells which.can pervad
the home); 3. A doctor
who will make house calls
anytime during the day
or night;f. An adequate
supply o \extra sheets,
pillow casgs, blankets
and towels etc. and
laundry facilities close
by; 5. Bedpan, kidney
basin, wash basin and of
course a bathroom near
at hand;' 6. Pads for the
75 YEARS AGO
The association game
on Friday. evening bet-
ween the Aberdeens of
London and the Goderich.
seven attracted the
largest audience that
ever appeared in the
West Street rink at a
hockey match.
The annual show of the
Huron Poultry and Pet
Stock Association opened
on Tuesday and will close
this evening. The con-
ditions prevailing were
not favorable, the extra
cold sped, and the
blockade of roads and
railroads being much
against the exhibition.
The oldest inhabitant
declares that not for 30
,years have there been
two such consecutively
comfort of the patient and
protection for you; and 7.
night clothing for many
changes.
This is a list ... of
minimum requirements.
If oxygen or other things
ar.ef'required,. then these
too must be supplied.
There • is also a great
financial burden on the
family - as well.
So with all the love and
goodwill in the world,
most of us cannot assume
these responsibilities.
Think it over - then
write to your member of
Parliament and do it now
- to leave it to tomorrow is
a form of apathy and may
he too late.
Edith A Craven,
Goderich,
In jeopardy
Dear Editor,
I cannot let it go by
without commenting on
the news in your paper
last week about hospitals
being closed and more
hospital beds reduced in
number, and more people
out of work. Worse than
that, the health of the
country is put in
jeopardy.
It happened last year,
Turn to page 5 e
LOOKING BACK
cold and snowy months as
December and January
just past. Mercantile'
affairs and railroad
traffic never were so
disorganized in
Godedrich as during the
past five years.
Thomas Huckstep is
the happy recipient of a
letter from the Military
authorities in the old
land, conveying the flews
that his pension had been
doubled. " The Star
congratulates the grand
old
old soldier.
• 25 YEARS AGO
No skating school will
be held • in Goderichthis
year, it was decidedat a
meeting of the Goderich
Recreation • and Arena
Council on Tuesday night.
Frank Skelton was
named as a new member
of Goderich Town Council
by acclamation as a
result . of last Thursday
night's nomination
meeting.
.More than half of the
2,0.00 logs have been used
so far in the pile driving
operations at the
Goderich harbor for the
foundation of the 24 new
grain bins to be built.
First in a series of radio
broadcasts was started
last Thursday night over
CKNX. by the Goderich
Junior Chamber of
Commerce designed to
inform the public• of the
civic improvement
projects of the group.
The oldest established
'newspaper in the Western
Ontario peninsula and
one of about a dozen of
the oldest papers in the
entire province, the
Signal -Star (continuing
the - pioneer "Huron
Signal") is entering upon
its 107th year of con-
tinuous publication. On
February 4, 1848, the first
issue of the Huron Signal
made its appearance'
5YEARSAGO
Poor market conditions
in the U.S. automotive
industry have forced
'Dearborn Steel Tubing to
lay doff 14 more workers,
bringing the total to 20.'
Residents of Church
Street who have been
experiencing some
problems due to heavy
traffic on that short
thoroughfare, -will have
relief • shortly when
parking will be permitted
only on the east side of
the street.
The annual report of
the Huron County Social
Services Administrator
J.A. MacKinnon • noted
that 1974 could . be the
most expensive year to
date because of the
various lay-offs in the
county coupled with the
lack of job vacancies.
Rusty Ormandy will be
leaving soon to compete
in the 'Canadian Cham-
pionship Figure Skating
competition as part of the
Western Section team.
Over 100 skaters took
part in this year's skate -
a -thou at the Godericl5-
arena raising an
estimated $1,800 for the
Goderich, Figure Skating
Club.
DEAR
REALE
BY SHIRLEY J.KELLER
Had a call just recently at the Signal='
Star complaining once. again about the
quality of cable television in Goderich
and area. This seems to be a kind of
annual problem and one that has no
real solution .,., unless of course, one
simply decides to be tolerant and
patient. -
A talk with the people at the cable
television company will reveal that the
signal that is received is the signal -that
is transmitted. If the signal is weak -
and sometimes at this time of year
when there are so many weather
disturbances in so many parts of the
•cogntry the signal can be extra-
ordinarily undependable - the signal
received in your home is also weak.
When you sit down and think about
it,it is only common sense. And yet, it is
upsetting to be paying a price for cable
.service and thenfind that viewing is
interrupted by snowy signals and
static -ridden stations.
But it has been rx x'rience • r
MnY I alit
in our house we are avid television
watchers ... that, certain time: of the
year are worse than others. For the
most part, television reception via
cable is good.
Whenever this topic of poor cable
quality comes up, I am always
reminded .of those early days when
television was a luxury item and
television reception was a very 'ify"
kind of thing.
For years I watched my favorite
programs through snow, vertical lines,
horizontal meanderings, comings and
goings and just plain fade-outs. -
My father loved the wrestling
matches, I remember, and so he was
always ready to spring for the very
hest television antenna on the market.
And invariably, our television
reception was poorer much, much
poorer (or so our neighbors would have
us believe)._ than in the house down
the road where Theyhad a wire coat
(ranger stock on top of a yard slick on
thl' I (Minot \ 1 nr'er quite understood
that.;
fr
And .I remember something else
about those early television days. I
remember the absolute uncertainty
about it. One simply cotfld not say,"I
am going to watch Leave It To Beaver
tonight." One could only indicate it was
your hope to watch the program. It all
depended on the air waves and maybe
a little bit on the state of the resistors
within the television itself.
And I can also remember that things
really didn't change much when we
came to Goderich to live. We had a
better aerial here than at any other
place we'd ever lived before (if price is
any indicator of worth) and yet
television reception was the pits.
-I- -F- +
And then cable came along.What a
blessed relief for this viewer.
Oh I've heard all the arguments. It is
expensive for the quality of television
you receive. It is 'annoying When your
color conies and goes like a phantom. It
is maddening wilt .now clogs your
:screen light l:; rll lidlc of a rescue
by your two favorite paramedics. It is
just plain ridiculous to get, another
hookup for FM when the music fades in
and out with more regularity than on
your cheap plastic AM radio.
But for this viewer at least, cable
television has revolutionized my life.
And as far as I'm concerned, it is worth
every penny we pay to the cable
television company to be able to
organize my schedule and depend that
when I want to watch Jack Lord catch•
the con artist on "the big island" I'm
going to he able to watch it. Unless
there is a power failure reported to the
PUC; •a circuit shorted in my television
or a network special that pre:cmpts my
Hawaii -idols, I'M going to be able to see
a.11 the -Five 0 action right there in my
own livingroom.
Maybe my wants are simple. Could
he I'm easily satisfied. Or perhaps I
can still remember when it wasn't so
good ..• and f'm thankful for the
modern technology we have, even if it
isn't perfection every moment of every
dny.-
p