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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-03-07, Page 4• .40 in inn Zbbance-ttimgo Published at Wingham, Ontario, P.O. Box 390 - NOG 2W0 by Wenger Bros. Limited fiarry Wenger. President Henry Hess. Editor • Robert 0. Wenger. Sec.-Treas. Audrey Currie. Advertising Manager Member Audit Bureau of Circulations ".Member — Canadian Communny.Newspaper Assoc. Subscriptions S20.00 per year Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Ontariocommunity Newspaper Assoc. Six months $11.50 Return postage guaranteed The passing of an era Pierre Trudeau's announcement ament. He had a politician's knack for that he will step down later this year as exploiting popular issues, but it would prime minister of Canada truly marks be a mistake to dismiss him as an op - the end of an era. None of us is quite the portunist. When he believed deeply in same today as when ti brash, young something, he was quite capable of Liberal from Quebec first swept to dragging the country behind him kick - power on a wave of Trudeaumania a Ing and screaming if necessary. decade and a half ago. That the once- He was not without flaws, however, passionate love affair has been largely and perhaps none Is more glaring than replaced by bitterness and dislike is a his failure to deal decisively with prob- measure of that change. No matter who lems of the national economy. Perhaps comes next, nothing will ever be quite lacking the vision he brought to other what it was. areas, he seemed ill at ease with econ- Canada in 1968 was a youthful and omit issues, frequently vacillating as vital country, bursting with idealism he experimented with policies but and promise, just awakening to a sense seemed unable to sustain an interest of itself and its place in world affairs. long enough to chart a consistent Mr. Trudeau,. perhaps more than any course. Without his drive and de - Western leader since John F. Kennedy, termination, such initiatives as did ap- personified the spirit of his time. Intel- pear promising soon faltered and were I igent, articulate, energetic, idealistic, quietly scuttled in the face of opposition he represented what we wanted Can- from the business establishment. The ada to be, and he fired the imagination economy remains little changed from of a new generation of voters. when he inherited it, still underde- veloped and at the mercy of Others. Through the years, Mr. Trudeau changed but little. Drawing on the capital of his formidable personality and undoubted charisma — there were few who could match him in charm or intellect — he tried to mold the coun- try in his own image and refused to be held responsible when reality fell short of expectations. Increasingly isolated within the bastions of power with which he had surrounded himself, he failed to see — or did not care — that the around him was changing. Hard economic times had brought forth a new generation, less idealistic, From the beginning of his tenure, national unity was a favorite theme, and it is here that undoubtedly his greatest accomplishments are to be found. For whatever else is said of Mr. Trudeau, two things will surely be Written: that he presided over the entry of Quebec into the mainstream of Can- adian political life, thereby turning the tide of separatism, and that he brought home the Constitution and gave Can- adians a Bill of Rights. Nor should the current wrangles over bilingualism and constitutional issues be permitted to cloud the realization of just how im- portant a step this has been. These are but_growingloains_whid„,m_restat Jr__ more concerned with bread-and-butter issues7The Youth -Turks of today aro-a our maturity as a nation. different breed from those who dial- . He found Canada a nation going in lenged -the establishment in the '60s. two directions, with a French-speaking They dress in business suits, speak the Quebec largely isolated within the English-speakiog establishment. Oe- language of stockbrokers and pick leaders from the boardrooms of Bay nied access to positions of national Street, while a public weary of choos- power. Quebec's youth turned inward, nt- ing between the twin terrors of inflation toward separatism-. The arrive! in and unempioyment was ready for any tawa of the Three Wise Men — Mr. thing that promised a change. The Trudeau, Jean Marchand and Gerard writing Was on the wall and Mre Pelletier — signalled the beginning of a Trudeau, never stupid, could read it. It change which would make it possible was time to go. for the federalists, a dozen years later, It is too early to predict just how to convince Quebec voters to cast their history will judge him. He has been lot with Canada and decisively defeat a called arrogant, insensitive, rude, and referendum on separation. That ac- so he was. He evoked strong passions; complished, he turned his attention to few men have been more loved — or the long -overdue patriation of the Con- more hated. He also was a leader in the stitution and, despite an often stormy truest sense of the word, capable of series of confrontations with the Prov- charting his own course and sailing into inces, succeeded where others had the wind if he felt it necessary. He feared to tread. probably did more than any politician A statesman who hob-nobbed with princes and kings, Mr. Trudeau was also well-known abroad as a leader concerned with social justice, with bridging the gap between rich and poor nations, the so-called North-South dialogue—though sadly this proved to be more talk than action — and recent- ly as a crusader for nuclear disarm- • • , ..- since Sir John A. Macdonald to define the Canadian identity. It is safe to venture that his impact will not be quickly forgotten and that the verdict of historians, safely re- moved in time from his over -bearing arrogance and irritating mannerism, will be kinder than the memories of his centem pore ri es. Unfair competition Although no direct confirmation has been forthcoming, the broadcast media have carried news items to the effect that Canada Post has a deal cooking to link hands with Consumers' Distributing, one of the nation's biggest discount retailers. The suggestion Is that post offices will act as order -tak- ers for Consumers, a firm which han- dles thousands of items, most of them at considerably lower prices than local ' merchants could offer. If, indeed, Canada Post Is about to move into the order -taking field direct competition will be felt by most small- town businesses except the food retail- ers. Again, according to these same sources, Canada Post is giving serious consideration to the provision of bank- ing services in smaller communities. The Post Office discontinued its bank- ing operation several years ago be- cause it had become redundant in mod- ern-day Canada. Now, it seems, the Post Office is feeling sorry for the small centres which no longer have local banks. Isn't it about time Canada Post settled down to the task for which it does have a clear mandate — getting the mail to us on time? Union backing misplaced The Ontario° Public Services Em- ployees Union hasn't done itself much good In the public view by Its blind sup- port of one of its members who was fired In 1982. The member in question was fired, and later reinstated after it was charged that he had homosexual relations with a retarded 17 -year-old -, youth in a Waterloo office building. The man in question was a social worker employed by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. Now the union has filed an official complaint against Frank Drea, the OCSS minister, because of remarks he has made about the union member. The complaint was directed to the Public Wow, tv*ere tvao /-60Pel ukt5 50 rudely (hz,ierropzieFt ? ed. I , /I' ' •,,,' .! ,/ 1/, • • .1•110111ir • Oiah 71 1984 Explaining background of Melodiers band Dear Editor, I wish to explain to the public my personal opinion of your recent letters about the Melodier band. No. 1: This band was organized in 1981 with three people. They were Mr. B. Jenkins, guitar; Mrs. Cora Robertson, piano, and Mr. Albert Rintoul on guitar, who gave freely of their time and musical ability and en- tertained the senior citizens and the homebound. Mr. Rintoul felt unable to play steadily, so I engaged Miss Vera Baxter on mandolin, Mr. Fred Lee, guitar, and Mrs. Mary McIntosh, piano. This band played several engagements for the seniors, homebound and Lions club with no remuneration. I applied to - headquarters of the Lottery Association concerning a grant and reported this to the executive of the Happy Gang, who absolutely refused to have any connections with the grant to organize the band and secure needed equip- ment that would have been Items from Old Files MARCH 1937 Twenty tickets were sold at the C.N.R. station on Saturday for the cent -a -mile excursion to Toronto and other points. These cheap weekend fares are becoming very popular. Reeve David McDonald of Culross was elected a director of the Ontario Good Roa s ssocia ion a annual meeting • held in Toronto. That Wingham is telephone -minded is shown by the number of telephones in use as compared with other exchanges in the district. Wingham comes second in business phones with 154; 'Walkerton has 178. Wingham leads in home phones, with 489. London dress designers are busy these days preparing gowns to be worn by ladies who will attend the coronation ceremonies and festivities. An Orange Lodge, No. 3159, was instituted in Teeswater when the officers were named and installed. S. E. Jeffery is Worshipful Master and his supporting officers include F. Pratt, J. Porter, L. C. Smiley and, R. Hutchison. A large crowd attended the auction sale of farm stock and implements of Peter S. MacEwen, second con- Service Labor Relations Tribunial. The complaint quotes Drea as saying that If the Man is re -hired he will be demoted "so far down into the basement that he's going to need a miner's lamp to get upstairs." Drea, never noted for kindly -cho- sen words, has this time, however, re- flected the revulsion which society feels that a man could so callously take advantage of a retarded youth. That a responsible union would throw its sup- port behind such a person jeopardizes belief in the union's value to Its own membership and its place In the com- munity. 4 cesSion, Turnberry. Mr. MacEwen's stock was in prime condition and brought good prices., MARCH 1949 The congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church will hold regular, Sunday services in the town hall commencing March 6, until such tine aa the church • • 4s-bi rem elle . t";tidredecooted, is co le ? Wingham will lose one of its energetic businessmen within 4114,4tg0444,wo weeks when CtrE;Rilieirieturris to his home town of Arnprior to take over as manager of the. Walker Stores branch there. During the 11 years he has resided here he has taken an active interest in activities of the town. The local branch No. 180 of the Canadian Legion held Artillery Night and initiated W. A. Hogg into the local branch. George Williams presented Dr. A. W. Irwin with the past president's badge for service during 1948. • Stewart Procter was elected president of the Belgrave Co -Operatives Association at the annual meeting held in the Foresters' Hall. Vice presidents are James Michie and Simon Hallahan. C. R. Coultes is secretary. Israel elected its first president since becoming a new state last year. Dr. Chaim Weiz mann is a veteran campaigner for Zionism. He is a scientist and a British subject. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Louttit have retired from their farm near Wroxeter. and taken up residence, in eing-t—thei.L.Hingillam. home. Their son will continue to live on the home farm. MARCH 1960 Pamella Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Clark of Wingham,: was the Leap Year Baby at the Wingham hospital. The newcomer weighed in at nine pounds, 14 ounces. The regular meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the Canadian Legion 180 was held in the Legion Home with 60 members present. Four new members were wel- comed, Mrs. Eric Walden, on transfer from Ripley, Mrs. Vaughan Douglas, Mrs. Ed Rich and Mrs. William Ren- wick. Winning. two games straight over Wiarton, the Wingham Jokers wrapped up the WOAA Juvenile C championship. Members of the team are Garry Tem- pleman, Peter Carmichael, Bill Crawford, Bill Dalli- more, Bill Henry, George Skinn, Murray Kerr, John Fryfogle, John Merkley, Doug Lockridge and Ray- mond Walker. Alf Lockridge is coach. Mayor R. E. McKinney and members of town 'council approved plans outlined by a deputation from the Wingham Sport- smen's Association. Ab• Nethery and Borden Jenkins appeared before council and Wkrtt-plansedeveloping-fer the formation of. a bird. sanctuary and public park along the reaches of the Lower Town pond. The people of this district are in for a rare musical treat Friday evening when the all -professional -Canadian Opera Company will present "The Merry Wives of Windsor" at the high school auditorium. MARCH 1970 The annual public speaking contest was the feature of the Lions Club meeting. The winner in the girls' contest was Pat Sparks of Lucknow. Brian Miller of Wingham won the boys' division. Both are students at F. E. Madill Secondary School.' The Canadian Transport Commission has set the dates for hearings on the applications of Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways to discontinue passe nger service. C.N.'s application asks permission to discon- tinue service on runs from Toronto to Palmerston, Palmerston to Owen Sound, Palmerston to Southampton, Palinerston to Kincardine (through Wingham) and Stratford to Goderich. The winners of a model - making contest at the Stedman store were Stuart Hollpway, first for two car models in a garage, Doug Penny, second for a ship model, and Ron Johnston, third for his model car. Threepupils of Mrs. Nora Moffatt, Wroxeter, have received word that they have passed music examinations. They are Genes Gibson of Wroxeter, Grade Two theory; Mary Edith Garniss, RR 4, Wingham, Grade Two theory; Colleen Cardiff, Brussels; Grade Eight piano. At the meeting of the Wingham Business Associa- tion, President John Brent extended a welcome and good wishes to two new business enterprises, the Bide A Wee Snack Bar which has opened in the former Rural Hydro office under Miss Z. Hopwood's pro- prietorship; and the Brid- al Boutique which Mr. and Mrs. Lorne McDonald will open soon in the former Central Food Market location. left at the Armouries in care of the senior citizens Happy Gang. I was politely told if any band was to be organized I would have to do it on my own. This I did. I formed the Melodiers consisting of the following: Miss Vera Baxter, mandolin; Mr. Stewart Henry, ',mouth organ; Mr. Alex Robertson, banjo; Mr. Gordon Wall, vtiolin; Mrs. Sadie Tiffin, piano, and myself, guitar and leader. Later Mr. Ross Cardiff, accordion, and Mrs. Joyce Steuernol, snare, were add- ed. At this time there was no "Gord's Old -Timers". The Melodiers with help from Mrs. Evelyn Stephens, Miss Kay Hartley and Miss Vera Baxter looked after the kitchen together with other volunteers. There were out- of-town guest musicians who volunteered their travel time and musical talent from Stratford to Sarnia and Port Elgin, also guest square dance callers, namely Mr. Robert Thompson, Mr. George Tervit and Mr. Oscar Schefter. There was no admission fee, only silver collection of which I have on hand the total amount of money after expenses were paid. The money is to be donated to different charitable organi- zations. These will be noti- fied ahead of time and will be presented with a cheque to the representative of their organization at the dance. The organization will be picked by the band mem- bers. I also contacted Mrs. Pat Bailey, who gave me full " support in obtaining the Armouries for the "Fifty and Over" dances. I thank her for -her -efforts -in -this -en deavour as she is a stalwart backer and a town pro- moter; also CKNX which did the advertising -free of charge and r. Bill Thomson for the interview on his program. , As I was the originator of the dances, I do not under- stand why I was not con- tacted on this whole matter. I bear no malice and the Melodiers and Special Guests will be back when the Armouries and the weather permits. HO WICK TOURNAMENT ----The Howick Hawks proved the local boys can come through in the crunch when they won the annual Howick In- dustrial Hockey Tournament with a 4-3 win over !rv's Houndogs from Hanover. The Listowel Try Hards took the consolation honorS in the two-day tournament. Hawks' team members are (not in order) John 4+4 E. Borden Jenkins Windham New Books in the Library THE TIGER, LIFE by Sarah Gainham Sarah Gainham, well known for her tale of Vienna in Night Falls on the City; now ' has produced a reinarkable, new story set amid the rubble of Berlin. In 1950, after the blockade, and prior to the actual division of the city by the Wall, the four occupying powers lived in a continual state of tension. Into this strained, emotion - laden atmosphere comes Rose Ingram, wife of a reporter and undercover British agent. Atonce ap- palled and desolated by *hat she sees, Rose nevertheless finds in herself a previously unknown passion and clarity which leads to the shaping of a new, future life. PHAIDON GUIDE TO SIL- VER By Margaret Holland. Containing both antique and modern silver, this book is a mine of information for both the new enthusiast and the connoisseur. Photo- graphs, drawings, hallmarks and craftmanship guide the reader in identifying the use and date and in explaining the national characteristics. KENNEDY: A TIME RE- MEMBERED by Jacques Lowe This time a beautifully photographed book of the family goes from the amalgamation of the Ken- nedy and Fitzgerald clans to the assassination of "Bob- by". Many of the photo- graphs have never been eel-4Seeri before in book form. Jacques Lowe spent a great deal of time with the Kennedys and in the White House and has produced a truly fine record Of this era. Armstrong, Rob, Ron and Ken Williams; Larry Clarkson, Steve Taylor, Doug Boyd, Dave Jacobson, Doug and Mark Harding, Ray Wilson, Dave aid Doug Hargrave, Ron and Jim Stewart, Garfield Gibson, Pete Leppard and Ross Weber.