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Wingham Advance-Times, 1981-04-01, Page 1414 e Ilifing4in Advance -Tunes, April 1, 1981 itI We're an you Amidst the deluge of self- critieism in which Canadians have been indulging recently, it is interesting to read the opinions of an American writer. This ar- ticle, which appeared in The Sacramento (Cal.) Bee on March 15, was sent to The Advance -Times by Mike McPhail, former Wingham resident, "TRB from Washington" is the title of a column published by the New Republic magazine. It is written by Richard L. Strout, veteran Washington corres- pondent for the Christian Science Monitor. 0-0-0 Suppose ..Ronald Reagan and his Cabinet went up to a joint session of Congress every day and at 2>o'clock took 40 minutes of questions hurled at them by the opposi- tion party across the aisle and threw back answers just as sharp and withering as though they were in an election debate. That's the way they do it in the House of Commons in Canada, where the president visited last week, making his first trip outside the country to explain how much we love the Canadians, how im- portant it is to keep the budget balanced and to th- wart Communism in El Salvador. The way it works ' in Ottawa, -the bell rings at 2 p.m., the doors open and the sergeant -at -arms enters with the gold mace on a pillow, followed by the speaker in a white wig. After announcing the orders of the day, she starts the session with "question period". It makes the polite little queries put to the president at Washington press con- ferences look like a child's game compared to a prize fight. The affair goes on the air all oyer Canada. No wonder 70 per cent of the • Canadian voters take part in elections (after one-month campaigns) compared to only 50 per cent in America (after campaigns lasting a couple of years) . If Pierre Trudeau, with his twisted smile, and the look of a man who has stepped out of Louis XIV's court and for- gotten his wig, is in a good mood he will answer the question himself. If he is in a foul mood he may turn it over to a fellow Cabinet member. Thegovernment,•has to ac- count for itself every day, and if it loses face, as Jimmy Carter's did after a couple of years in Washington, it loses its majority and is turned out, as conservative Joe Clark was after only nine months. The US-Canadian affection is genuine, no doubt about it, and the world should take note. But there is often a vacuous friendliness about it, kind of family apathy, particularly on the part of the southern neighbor, that can be aggravatingly patronizing. The United States just takes its partner for granted and this is as exasperating in internation- Howick Jr. farmers hold dance.a-thon The Howick Junior Farm- ers last week raised nearly $750 through an all-night dance -Allan Sponsored—by the group at the Wroxeter community hall. About $200 of the proceeds will be donated to the Heart Fund, while the rest will be used to fund the group's activities, including a dance April 11 at the Howick Community Centre. Fourteen dancers com- pleted the 12 -hour marathon, which lasted from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, dancing to music provided by Greg Stewart off Fordwich. Diane McLean, one of the dancers, reported that the worst time was,between Pout and five 'o'clock in ° the morning, when it was com- pletely dark outside and the dancers were getting tired. Once the sun appeared everyone perked up, she said. The group hoped to add to its numbers during a membership meeting scheduled for April 1 at the Howick Central School. Currently membership is low, members reported. fight t al as in conjugal relation- ships. Taking your spouse for granted, I am told, is a leading cause of marital infelicity. We signed a ,Fisheries treaty with Canada almost two years ago but it isn't ratified yet. Canada must take the same chances that Russia did in the SALT II treaty — the problem being the trick device in the US Constitution giving 34 mem- bers of a 535 -member legislature veto power over a treaty (i.e., the Senate two- thirds ratification require- ment). Americans shrug resignedly over it — "Foreigners should under- stand; it's just one of those things that can't be helped." Reagan went to Ottawa with a split government in Washington — a partisan deadlock that couldn't occur in Canada. "We don't see how you do it," say foreigners wonderingly. "Oh, it's nothing," reply Americans. In the last 52 years or so there has been split -party government ^ in Washington about one-third of the time. This is one reason for the power of the lobbies, which are almost as important a part over the governmental system as the separation of powers. Canada normally is about 20 years ahead of the United States in social and tax legislation, according to my reckoning. In Canada the government draws up voter registration lists, instead of requiring people to register themselves. Canada has national health insurance. There are a good many things in Canada that may have shocked President Reagan, I am afraid. He doesn't„ like government interference in business: In Canada there are the Can- adian National Railway, Air Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting 'Corp., Petro - Canada and other ventures. Canada is no paragon among 'nations, goodness knows. It has tremendous problems of bilingualism and separatism. But it also has social and political legislation that its con- descending neighbor might well study. It is almost impossible for Canadian and US politicians to avoid referring to "3,000 miles of unfortified border." But I sometimes wish we CURLING WINNERS—The rink of Anna Goodall, Mary Williams, Betty McDon- ald and Shirley Walker won the Dr. and Mrs. P. J. Leahy Trophy at Teeswater. Presenting the trophy is Shirley Lamont, president of the ladies' curling club. (Photo by John Fieten) MRS. ALLAN GRIFFITH Wroxeter Personals • Visitors with Mrs. Kathy Liberty and Debbie Davies Saturday evening were Mrs. Elenor Davies and daughter Shirley -Mae of Newmarket, Karen and Pauline Porter, Barrie, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Baitley, Tania, Angela and ,Chad, Wroxeter, Mrs. Doris Trapp, Ron and Kelly of Whitechurch. The occasion was Mrs. Davies' birthday on Sunday and Kathy's birthday on Saturday. The Newmarket and Barrie folk remained for the weekend. Weekend guests with Gor- don Gibson were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Reffell, London, and Mr. and Mrs. Crawford Gibson, Barrie. They ac- companied, Gordon to Bel - more Saturday evening for Ladies' Night of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. and ' Mrs. George Moffatt, London, visited his mother. Mrs. Nora Moffatt. and Harold on Wednesday of last week. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bodfish, London, were weekend guests with their cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Griffith. Mrs. Glenn McKercher, Jamestown. and Mrs. Ron Larsen and children, Sarnia, called on Miss Margaret Griffith on Saturday. Mr. and Mrs, Lorne Mat- thews, Glenn Matthews and friend Arlene Patton of Cam- bridge i Preston) and Elgin Toman, Flattsville, visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ross Toman Mr and Mrs. Robert Chamberlain and Harvey Danny of Elora were Sunday visitors with Mr and Mrs. Jack Ackerman Mrs. Nora Moffatt and Harold visited in London at the weekend when they took Gayle Terry and Manjula Karumaratne home after spending the week here ,t Norman Hall. Aylmer, has been visiting Mr and Mrs. Art Gibson A number from Wroxeter and area attended the meeting in Howick Central School last Wednesday con- cerning the survey for need fdt- senior Citizen housing in Howick Township could fortify the border if that would attract a little more attention to solutions Canada has found for mutual problems. Just last November, Jimmy Carter did something that would be illegal in Can- ada; He conceded his defeat on television before the polls were closed in California. In Canada, early election re- sults can't be broadcast out h._.^•`-13Ormil ayes of time zones in the East to prevent influencing late - voting Westerners. As to instituting a question period in Congress, Jimmy Carter in Why Not the Best and Walter F. Mondale in Accountability of Power, both published in 1975, re -f• commended the system. "Il- would be helpful here," said Carter. "It should be tried," said Mondale. Amen: Rev. Beli speaks to meeting of the 3Ms An interesting and inform- ative meeting was held Wed- nesday evening in the upper room of St. Andrew's Pres- byterian Church. Rev. John Bell of Whitechurch ad- dressed the gathering, taking as his text Proverbs 3:6, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths." He said he would call him- self a Christian mystic, due to certain personal ex- periences he has had over the years. He said the happenings are explainable only in terms of a mystical Mrs. Metcalfe conducts devotions BELMORE — The March meeting of the McIntosh United Church Women was opened by the president. Mrs. Len Metcalfe con- ducted the devotions,which opened with the singing of - 'Amazing Grace'. Mrs. Alan Darling read scripture from II Corinthians, chapter one. Prayer and the singing of 'The Old Rugged Cross' closed the devotions. - Thirteen ladies answered the roll call with a winter poem. Mrs. Murray' Mulvey was in charge of the study, the. theme of which was.,Part- ners in Mission'. It was a play that dealt with the UCW study theme for this year. Mrs. Norman Newans was in charge of the feature that dealt with 'Prayer'. The meeting closed with the Mizpah benediction and lunch was served by Mrs. Metcalfe and Mrs. Newans. WINGHAM I Meeting six of the Sunny Spring Sewers was held March 23 at Mrs. Jacklin's home. Carol Belanger opened the meeting with the 4-H pledge. We talked about new sewing techniques we had learned while making our garments. Mrs. Jacklin showed the members how to place bias tape around the outside of a pocket. She explained there are two kinds of bias tape you may' use, single -fold bias tape and double -fold bias tape. We then reviewed a crossword puzzle. Carol Belanger closed the meeting with the 4-11 pledge. Swingers host square dancing union or direct communion With God's or ultimate reality. It was most interesting to all who believe God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. The meeting was in charge of Gertrude Tiffin, Merle Wilson and Eva Carr. Mrs. Carr chaired the meeting, which consisted of a devotion period by Merle Wilson, giving- a meditation on the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. Gertrude Tiffin conducted an interesting contest of giving pictures a song title. The Three Ms have com- pleted their project of having cupboards installed in the church nursery. The hostess served a delightful lunch and all enjoyed the social hour. Whitechurch - .Sunday School starts at Chalmers Presbyterian Church next Sunday, April 5, at 10 o'clock. All pupils are asked to be there for their classes. Mrs. ' Gordon Rintoul and Mrs. Gary Rintoul and Kevin visited Monday iuitli Mr. and Mrs. Brad' 'Speiran of Brussels, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tiffin and Joey visited Sunday last with Mr. and Mrs. Dave ' McGlynn, Wayne ' and Janet of Kitchener, to celebrate ° Joe's birthday. On Tuesday Mr. and Mrs. Tiffin and Joey visited with Mr. and. Mrs. Bill Snowden and Bill Jr. of Goderich for another bir- thday celebration. ' Karen Pickard spent Wednesday with Mrs. Mary McClenaghan while Mr. and' Mrs. Carl McClenaghan were at Kitchener. On Sunday Mrs. Dave McGlynn, Wayne and Janet of Kitchener visited with her parents, Mr: and Mrt. Joe Tiffin, and Joey while her husband visited with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lorne McGlynn of Teeswater. . Joe Ducharme of Goderich visited Saturday with Mr: and Mrs, Elroy Laidlaw. The March SWOSDA was hosted by the Huron -Bruce Swingers March 28 at the Brookside Public School, with dancing from 2:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Host caller for the day was Glenn Patterson, with five other callers assisting as well as three round dance ca I lers. All clubs in SWOSDA, the South Western Ontario Square Dance Association, get together the last Satur- day of each month to have a special dance with different clubs hosting the event. The general meeting was held at 5 o'clock with 12 clubs represented. Forty-eight couples registered for the afternoon workshop and dance Supper hour lasted until 7 p.m. when dancing resumed and 16 more couples registered for the evening. Among the clubs present were some from London, Sarnia. Wheatley, Howick, Clinton, Cambridge, Kit- chener. Lucknow and St. Marys 'Gray Bread', a one -act dra as by mernhe a :of the Teeswater Junior Farmers, travelled to Toronto .last weekenq for a performance at the Junior Farmers' annual Provincial con- vention. Earlier . in March, two members of the cast won acting awards for their performances at the k�t+uce County drama competition. Theresa Millen, who plays Riga, the 90 -year-old grand- mother, was selected as best actress, and Brenda Lamont, who played her daughter Saida, was chosen best supporting actress. The play is directed by . Marg Webster and also features Donna Green and Debbie Oatiman. The Teeswater Junior Farmers' Variety Concert April. 30 and May 1 will give local audiences a chance to see the play, as well as other talents within the club such as • choirs and humorous skits. Performances will be at the Teeswater Town Hall beginning et 8:15 pm. For further details, contact a member of the Junior Farmers. THE SEWING SWEETHEARTS LAKELET All members answered the roll call, 'Name a sewing technique you Have learned and state where you have usedthis. technique on your garment', when the girls met at the home of Mrs. Huth on March 25. Variations on vests were discussed and the leaders explained that some types of vests use a facing, lining or bias tape. Mrs. Huth demonstrated how to turn a vest to the right side after inserting the lining. Mrs. Rae demonstrated how to apply bias tapes to a raw edge. Bias tape looks quite attractive when used as trim onavest. ' All members worked on extended facings andhan- dstitc'lied hei"hhs, ' these samples to be completed and mounted in their books. The girls are to complete sewing their garments before the next meeting_ THE STITCH 'N' RIP GALS FORDWICH—Mrs. Ruth Harding hosted the meeting of the club which featured a discussion on various trims for vests and directions for inserting lining. Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lockie demonstrated applying bias tape. The girls completed the cost report off their skirts and their evaluation sheets. They also worked on a crossword puzzle and took part in 'a clothesline quiz, using facts learned in this club project. A pot luck lunch was enjoyed by everyone. The girls will plan their Achievement Day exhibit and hand in their completed books and skirts at the next meeting on April 11. °GRAY BREAD', a one -act drama by the Teeswater Junior Farmers, was per- formed at the Junior Farmers' annual _ provincial conference In Toronto last weekend. The play features Debbie Oatman, Theresa Millen, Brenda Lamont -and Donna Green. Theresa and Brenda won acting awards for their parts during an earlier performance at the Bruce County drama competition. Local audiences will have a chance to see the play April 30 and May 1 at the Teeswater Town Hall. Life underwriters challenge bank plans ,The Life Underwriters Association of Canada (LUAC) has mounted an attack against the newly - instituted bank and trust company plans providing life insurance to RRSP holders, calling theplans a giveaway - and charging they43 not meet the ptiblicneed. The association has called on the provincial super- intendents_ of insurance to review these plans and "take whatever action would be in the public interest,, .par- •ticularly in the area of adequate disclosure of any conditions or limitations on the life insurance coverage." According to R. L. Kayler, LUAC vice president and general counsel, "The bank and trust company plans get a zero rating when teste'd on the basis of filling needs." He pointed out the protection is at a minimum when the RRSP holder is younger, 'increasing ashe becomes older and then suddenly disappearing at age 60. That pattern is not typical of -the actual need for life insurance, particularly in times of inflation, he said. "Since the concept of need .4 appears tohave been rejected, one can only conclude the -prime motivation for these plans is promotional," he added. He said the ad- vertisements " . which have appeared to date have. not disclosed some of the restrictions and limitations related to x life insurance coverage. PUBLIC AUTO AUCTION) Buy, Sell, Trade Saturday. Noon APRIL 4 Motor Bikes, Trailers, Boots, Snowmobiles, Bi- cylcos, Riding Lawn Mow- ers, Cars, Trucks. Josephine St. Wingham 357-1411 w° 1.4'/2% GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES - ANNUAL INTEREST Rates subject to change 41 STANDARD TRUST 237 Josephine St., Wingham, Ontario Telephone 357-2022 • OFF OUR REGULAR LUGGAGE PRICES Spring Promotion '81. April 1 - 18. 2QttnQit •Attache Cases •Bonneville •Luggage *Malibu *Capri Side Zip •Capri/Versailles Totes dight Bags *Continental Casual Luggage •Attaches LIDAY W'RLD 250 Josephirm Seo, Wingham 357-2701 Our hours; Mon, - Fri° 9 - 5t30, Sat„ 9 - 5:00 519.357-2701 We accept collect calls from our out of town clients. Ask for Donne or Candy, We will be pleased to help with your travel plans. J