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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-05-18, Page 4THE CE f page of editorial opinion May BLUE kIBBON ati^�aR() tbe •R ingfjam fibbaneemgrianeg Published at '% int;ham, Ontario. ho N env er Bros. Limited Barry Wenger, President Henry Hess, Editor Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Audrey Currie. Advertising Manager Member Audit Bureau of CirculatiorNs- Member — Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Subscriptions $20.00 per year Second Class Mail Registration No. 0821 Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc Six months $I 1.50 Return postage guaranteed A community responsibility Child abuse is not a new problem. Mistreatment of the young and helpless has probably existed throughout the ages, but today we live in a society which is acquiring a fresh sense of responsibility. A recent workshop, sponsored by Huron County Family and Children's Services, discussed the prevalence and possible solutions to child abuse. A film, "A Chain to Be Broken" ex- plained that child abuse is very fre- quently practised by those parents whd; themselves, were abused in child- hood. A strange phenomenon but an oft - proven one. Basic to any progress in solution of the problem is the co-operation of all members of the community. In years gone by reporting of evidence of child abuse was left to the doctors who were called upon to treat childhood injuries — if, indeed, such injured children were ever brought forward for medical care. Naturally many doctors hesitated or even refused to place themselves in the role of policemen and file formal charges. In many cases neighbors are well aware that a nearby child is being abused, but are most hesitant to become informers, even though they may be sickened by their knowledge of a suffering child. l=ids Geste, community services officer with the Ontario Provincial Police, told the people at the workshop anyone who knows of, or even suspects an instance of child abuse is obliged by law to report the matter to Family and Children's Services. A caller need not give his or her name, though it is help- ful when callers are willing. This is the only legal Act in existence in which the informant's name can be left off the search warrant. Another speaker explained that certainty and proof of child abuse are not required. The investigators will ap- proach a family tractfully and seek verification before taking legal action. Child abuse is a serious and some- times disgusting facet of modern life. Its practice can spring from a variety of causes — not necessarily from in- nate cruelty or drunkeness. The econ- omic strains brought about in recent months might well have been contri- buting factors, as parents are nagged by worries and uncertainties. Nor are parents treated as criminals when evi- dence of abuse is conclusive. Guidance and counselling are frequently the suc- cessful approaches to correcting the situation. The discussions at the workshop made it abundantly clear, however, that any improvement in the present situation is largely dependent on the co- operation of the community at large, rather than upon thevigtlence and -hon- esty of medical practitioners. Saddening comedown A� recently as 25 years ago the On- tario Veterinary College at Guelph was rated as one of the finest in the world. Students came from many countries to receive their training and carried back to the their native lands glowing tales of our country and its outstanding school of veterinary medicine. How sad it is to learn that the OVC has been granted only "limited ac- creditation" by the American Veter- inary Medical Association because the college lacks sufficient modern equip- ment and does not have enough teaching staff to give proper training to its present enrolment of students. If final accrediation is withheld its certi- ficates of graduation will not be honored. Difficulties at the OVC apparently stem from the meagerness of govern- ment funding — not a new story for On- tario universitities. Taxpayers who complain unending about government demands for revenue might well have only themselves to blame if they were convinced that the money we do pro- vide for education is well spent. How- ever, many find it hard to believe that millions of dollars spent on sports com- plexes at some community colleges would not have been better applied to maintaining a high standard of educa- tion at the post -secondary level. The latter, after all, should be the prime goal of our educational system. Justice for the innocent There is a gaping inadequacy in )ur system of justice which so far re- inains to be recognized. A person accused and even sentenced in our :ourts but who is later found by those same courts to be innocent has no -neans of recouping the costs in either dollars or wasted years. Two recent acquittals point up the Jnfairness of our present system of justice. Susan Nelles, a nurse at the To- ronto Hospital for Sick Children, was charged with murder when several babies died of overdoses of a drug. After almost a year of anguish, a 44 -day preliminary hearing failed to find sufficient evidence to bring the nurse to trial. It has been estimated that her defence cost her and her family about $200,000 and her father, a physician of high reputation, died, probably as a result of the strain undergone. A couple of weeks ago Donald Marshall of Sydney, N.S. was found not guilty of murder after he had spent nearly 11 years in a federal peniten- tiary. Ontario's attorney -general has stated that the province would not compensate Nurse Nelles. If she wish- ed to take action to recover her costs she would have to prove that the charg- es ice. against And nher were prompted by what figure would any of us be prepared to set for 11 years lost from our lives behind bars? All the sonorous phrases which are recited daily in our courts, our sancti- monious belief in existing as a "nation under God" and our reverence for the impeccable system of British justice produce a hollow echo when we cannot acknowledge that when the system finds itself in error it still refuses to pay for its mistakes. What was the purpose? The Kitchener -Waterloo Record is, in most respects, a fine newspaper. Its readers have seldom found reason to be critical of its news coverage or its edi- torial policy. It was, therefore, shock- ing to find that one of last week's edi- tions carried a colorful re -hash of the shooting of a, provincial policeman in the village of Arthur. Only apparent reason for carrying the process color front page picture and a full-page fea- ture on one of its inside pages was the fact that it was the first anniversary of the sad event. The picture and stories carried no new information. In other words it was not a news story. And it must have opened still extremely tender wounds in the families of both the slain officer and the convicted offenders. The unnecessary coverage of this year-old event could hardly be tagged with anything but the adjective which is abhorrent to most professional newspaper people — "rank sensation- alism°° More than accident When Ontario Treasurer Frank Miller discovered that portions of his upcoming budget had found their way into the columns of The Toronto Globe & Mail he came close to public tears. He was shattered, particularly since he had twitted his federal counterpart for carelessness with the federal budget only a few days previously. Miller himself has faced the pos- sibility that he might have to resign, although he has not made up his mind on that score. The one aspect of the case which has so far escaped mention is just how the printers who were engaged to put the budget on paper, could possibily have permitted any proofs to get into their garbage unshredded. Any print- ing company given such an important contract would be warned, double -and triple -warned, about the importance of secrecy. Every employee would be well aware that any slip-up would cost him his job. So how did the budget end up In an unguarded alley? v;. Trust �ompany doesn't issue local mortgages Dear Editor, Often side stories are hidden within the news of the day. Financially troubled Twenty -One. .McGill., the Toronto women's club, has been sold by receiver Coopers and Lybrand to a group of its members. Save Twenty -One McGill com- mittee member Judith Tait stated they beat out six or seven other bids for the club. Harold Ballard of the Maple Leafs had expressed interest in turning Twenty - One McGill into a Playboy - style club featuring women in abbreviated bunny ROMs. After the women members heard about his proposal, they increased their financial support to the Twenty -One McGill com- mittee. For Wingham citizens, the side story was that Standard Trust helda second mort- gage on the club and had issued a power of sale on the property. How will Standard fare as the receivers sort out the finances? Standard's branch system is spread mainly through small-town Ontario (15 of 19 branches), but Standard does not place residential mortgages in these areas. Mortgage lending has concentrated on larger pro- in residential mortgages in jects thatere Osier to ad - 'ow towns and accepted - a minister' and supposedly ..F much more pr•,bfitable. more conservative return. Getting the highest return Dan Webster on any Guaranteed Invest- Wingham ment Certificates we own is part of our free enterprise system, but remember that sale of property in smaller communities may depend on availability of local mort- gage money. Why deposit your GIC dollars in a company that uses small-town Ontario as money milk cows? Interest rates being equal, why not select the credit union, bank or trust company that issues local mortgages? Perhaps Standard Trust might have better invested Local RNAs traveled to Niagara Falls conference Dear Editor, On May 12 and 13 in Niagara Falls, twelve RNAs from the Wingham and District Hospital had the pleasure of attending the Ontario Association of Registered Nursing Assist- ants' 25th anniversary. The theme of this conference was "25 Years of Caring and Sharing". This conference also hosted the Canadian annual meeting. This -..group it known as CAPNA (Canadian Association of Practical Nursing Assistants). The main purposes of CAPNA, to list a few, are: to promote high standards of nursing education; to promote the uniformity of curriculum content, standardization of education and registration in all of Canada. During this series of meetings, Mrs. Verna Steffler from Wingham became the first Ontario RNA to become president of CAPNA. Mrs. Steffler was also recognized by OARNA for her endless efforts and time she has given to her chosen profession of nursing in order to improve the health care system, not only in Ontario but also Canada, and she expressed gratitude to her family for supporting her in her efforts. It was at these lectures and events we discovered we were taking for granted the services of our local news- paper. In the past, if our local RNA association had a Results available from survey of farm women Dear Editor, The economic situation over the past five years has been hard-hitting to all sectors. The farming community has been staggered by the double punch of high interest rates and low commodity prices. The difficult times have united many people. Con- cerned Farm Women was formed by women who were worried about the loss of their livelihoods and the effect it was having on their families and communities. One of their various at- tempts to initiate a change in the farming situation was to document the actual problem (i.e. the human cost on the women and their families) . This was achieved by circulating an extensive survey to farm women throughout all of Bruce and half of Grey counties. The survey details the women's opinions and perception of the effects the farming crisis has had on their lives. It is the first of its kind and brings to Tight the farm woman's contribution to the farm and directly to the cost of food production. The survey has been supervised by Dr. E. A. Cebotarev and G. Penfold from the University of Guelph and is statistically valid and representative of the counties. At this time I would like to invite all the women who filled out surveys to become aware of the results. The survey was completely anonymous and we have no way of contacting the respondents. As well, we would be pleased to present the results of the survey to any interested individuals or groups. Three women have been hired to discuss the survey results in your homes or any other available location. Please contact any of the following if you are in- terested: Carolyn MacDuff, Walkerton, 881-2370; Eloise Calhoun, Chesley• 363-3037; Kristina Maus, Port Elgin, 368-7420. Carolyn MacDuff RR 3, Walkerton special occasion to share with the public, we just contacted your paper and your reporter was there. The mayor of Niagara Falls addressed the conference and proclaimed May 13 as RNA Day. The local news- paper in Niagara Falls was contacted to cover the conference, with the purpose of informing the public of the role the RNA .plays in the health care system and to give recognition to some very hard-working citizens of Ontario who strive to improve the health care system, not only in Ontario but also Canada. Needless to say, the news media didn't cover the conference at all. So, the RNA association of Wingham and District Hospital would like to say than you to The Advance - Times for your continued support of our efforts to keep the public informed. I must also say it was a very proud moment for us attending this conference when one of our fellow RNA was recognized for her tireless efforts. Clayton Baird President, RNA Assoc. Wingham & District Hospital BLACK HEART by Erie Van i,ustbader When John Holmgren, governor of New York, dies in the arms of his beautiful, young mistress, his hest friend and media consultant, Tracy Richter, believes it was a heart attack. Others, including a tough detective named Douglas Thwaite. suspect murder. Then Holm- gren's mistress is brutally killed, setting off a chain of events that carries, the reader into the heart of war- torn Carhdodia where the story has its true beginning. PRETTY PLATES—"Now I can have parties to no end." That was Jenny Wilson's reaction when she received a gift of party plates from the staff of the Fordwich branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. (Staff Photo) Like smother - Items from good luck .fenny Old Files MAY 1936 At the regular meeting of Huron Chapter No. 89, Order of the Eastern Star, the officers for . 1936-37 were installed. Mrs, . E. R... Harrison is • Worthy Matron and T. Y. Smith Worthy Patron. Associates are Miss Beatrice Joynt and F. Watson. Miss Evelyn McKay is secretary and Mrs. Elwood Armitage treasurer. Miss Isabel Northrop, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Northrop, was successful in obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree at Queen's University. The Armitage Block, Teeswater, has been rented to Frank Field who will open up a five cent to one dollar store. The two stores are being made into one and repairs are being made to receive the stock. Prisoners at the Ontario Reformatory have , started work on the manufacture of provincial auto markers for 1937. The top corners of the coronation plates are of scarlet and have a small crown in the background with white letters. They will be entirely different from plates of former years. A tract of land in the township of Kinloss has been set aside as a game preserve. It will be known as the Kinloss Crown Game Preserve and is on the fourth and fifth concessions. This takes in approximately 1,000 acres. ....- .-...- Mrs. R. Procter of Belgrave is teaching at No. 5, Morris, this week as Miss Helen Grasby, the teacher, is suffering from the measles. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Filsinger of Clifford have moved into the house recently vacated by Earl Mathers in Bluevale. Mr. Filsinger intends opening a shoe and harness repair shop. MAY 1948 The Wingham District High School Board has engaged M. V. Smith to teach Agricultural Science beginning in September. The addition of this subject to the courses of study provides a further addition to the ex- cellent opportunities offered, to the students of this community. W. H. French was named president of the Wingham Lawn Bowling Club. Vice presidents are W. B. McCool and H. Green; secretary - treasurer is H. L. Sherbondy. Frank Fingland of Clinton will contest the riding of Huron for the Liberal party, opposing Thomas Pryde, Progressive -Conservative candidate. • Dewey Adams of Belgrave has accepted a position with Mathers Beverages at Wingham. Angus Mowbray of Wingham spent the weekend in Detroit at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Sparks. He attended graduation exercises Monday evening at Grace Hospital, Detroit, where his wife was one of the graduating nurses. FORDWICH — For once Jenny Wilson was caught off guard. She had come to the Fordwich branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce expecting to see a former employee who had come back for a visit. Instead she found herself in the staff room with present employees who were eagerly awaiting her appearance so they could begin to enjoy her farewell party. "Oh yourpeople,"was•about all Mrs Wilson could say for a few minutes. But she said it with a big smile. The noonhour luncheon feast of fried chicken and all the trimmings was in honor of Mrs. Wilson's nearly 20 years of service as the bank's janitor. The staff decided the retirement of Jenny Wilson just shouldn't go unmarked. In the words of bank manager Don Coghlin, "Jenny was like a mother and grandmother to a lot of us and our children." Along with the food was a gift of attractive party plates and a letter from the staff and from the vice president and regional general manager, Michael O'Leary of the London Regional Office. Jenny Wilson, whose given name is really Gladys, was impressed. She carefully read Mr. O'Leary's letter and was visibly touched when manager Coghlin read the message from the local staff which he had written himself that very morning. "At times," said Mr. Coghlin, "you likely wanted to tell me to hit the waste basket instead of the floor, or to tell the girls to watch where they threw the stamps, as I know it was very hard to get the ink out of the counter tops and desks, and what about the farmers who forgot to sweep their feet?" "Yes," said Jenny emphatically, "especially in the win- tertime." Mr. Coghliin also recalled the times the staff had a little party and forgot to completely clean up. "It was always clean in the morning and all you got were the empties." And, he added, "What about the winter mornings we arrived and you were clearing the doorway for us ... or about the time Jack (Wilson) put the mouse on the hall, tree and nearly caused a riot." The mouse story got a good laugh from both Jenny and long-time employee Lois Simmons. They recalled how Jenny's husband had been helping clean the old bank one night and had caught a couple of long-tailed mice. "That old bank had a lot of mice and Jack got a couple of them and tied them by their tails to the hall tree," Jenny laughed. "Yes, and we hung our coats on that tree.for nearly a week before one of us noticed them," said Mrs. Simmons. The "notice" took the form of some high pitched screaming. On another occasion Jenny was in the bank early in the morning when a police officer came to the door. "I just wasn't too particular about letting him in, but I did after I asked him for his identification — maybe I shouldn't have done that." The alarm had gone off for some unknown reason and the policeman who was new to the area had come to check it out. "We recognized most of the police — we got to know them," Jenny said. It took Mrs. Wilson about an hour and a half every week night to keep the bank clean. "I enjoyed the work and it was so much easier when they built the new bank. This is a lovely branch. I usually came down around 6:30 p.m., but sometimes it would be 10:30 — afte�r a church supper or something. On those occasions I'd be tired and I didn't like the idea of having to go to the bank, but once '1 got here it was fine." Jenny says her husband talked her into retiring. "He said it would mean we could go more places in the evening — but so far he hasn't taken me anywhere," she laughed. When she heard that both her' husband and two sons, John and Donald, both of Fordwich had been in on the secret of the staff party, Jenny said, "Oh those rascals — I'm not going to let them forget this. Not a single word did I hear." Jenny Wilson is well-known in the village for both her pleasant personality and her support of community affairs. A member of the Fordwich United Church she has been the mainstay of the church's vacation Bible school for over 20 years. She is active in the church choir. In fact, Jenny Wilson attends just about every community function in Fordwich and is known throughout the area for her skating ability. At winter carnivals, dressed in authentic pioneer finery, she is a favorite, circling the rink with the graceful strides now associated with speed skaters. In his remarks bank manager, Don Coghlin also said the staff will "remember the treats that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny used to bring and leave overnight". "And we're sure going to miss Jenny calling up and asking how many are working in the bank today," another staffer said. Those telephone calls would be followed in about an hour with a box of home -baked goodies. "Jenny, we hope you will enjoy your retirement," said Mr. Coghlin, "although we know that your inylvement in other activities will likely increase now. "Best of luck and thank you, Jenny." New Books in t/u' Library BLACK HEART by Erie Van i,ustbader When John Holmgren, governor of New York, dies in the arms of his beautiful, young mistress, his hest friend and media consultant, Tracy Richter, believes it was a heart attack. Others, including a tough detective named Douglas Thwaite. suspect murder. Then Holm- gren's mistress is brutally killed, setting off a chain of events that carries, the reader into the heart of war- torn Carhdodia where the story has its true beginning. PRETTY PLATES—"Now I can have parties to no end." That was Jenny Wilson's reaction when she received a gift of party plates from the staff of the Fordwich branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. (Staff Photo) Like smother - Items from good luck .fenny Old Files MAY 1936 At the regular meeting of Huron Chapter No. 89, Order of the Eastern Star, the officers for . 1936-37 were installed. Mrs, . E. R... Harrison is • Worthy Matron and T. Y. Smith Worthy Patron. Associates are Miss Beatrice Joynt and F. Watson. Miss Evelyn McKay is secretary and Mrs. Elwood Armitage treasurer. Miss Isabel Northrop, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Northrop, was successful in obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree at Queen's University. The Armitage Block, Teeswater, has been rented to Frank Field who will open up a five cent to one dollar store. The two stores are being made into one and repairs are being made to receive the stock. Prisoners at the Ontario Reformatory have , started work on the manufacture of provincial auto markers for 1937. The top corners of the coronation plates are of scarlet and have a small crown in the background with white letters. They will be entirely different from plates of former years. A tract of land in the township of Kinloss has been set aside as a game preserve. It will be known as the Kinloss Crown Game Preserve and is on the fourth and fifth concessions. This takes in approximately 1,000 acres. ....- .-...- Mrs. R. Procter of Belgrave is teaching at No. 5, Morris, this week as Miss Helen Grasby, the teacher, is suffering from the measles. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Filsinger of Clifford have moved into the house recently vacated by Earl Mathers in Bluevale. Mr. Filsinger intends opening a shoe and harness repair shop. MAY 1948 The Wingham District High School Board has engaged M. V. Smith to teach Agricultural Science beginning in September. The addition of this subject to the courses of study provides a further addition to the ex- cellent opportunities offered, to the students of this community. W. H. French was named president of the Wingham Lawn Bowling Club. Vice presidents are W. B. McCool and H. Green; secretary - treasurer is H. L. Sherbondy. Frank Fingland of Clinton will contest the riding of Huron for the Liberal party, opposing Thomas Pryde, Progressive -Conservative candidate. • Dewey Adams of Belgrave has accepted a position with Mathers Beverages at Wingham. Angus Mowbray of Wingham spent the weekend in Detroit at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Sparks. He attended graduation exercises Monday evening at Grace Hospital, Detroit, where his wife was one of the graduating nurses. FORDWICH — For once Jenny Wilson was caught off guard. She had come to the Fordwich branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce expecting to see a former employee who had come back for a visit. Instead she found herself in the staff room with present employees who were eagerly awaiting her appearance so they could begin to enjoy her farewell party. "Oh yourpeople,"was•about all Mrs Wilson could say for a few minutes. But she said it with a big smile. The noonhour luncheon feast of fried chicken and all the trimmings was in honor of Mrs. Wilson's nearly 20 years of service as the bank's janitor. The staff decided the retirement of Jenny Wilson just shouldn't go unmarked. In the words of bank manager Don Coghlin, "Jenny was like a mother and grandmother to a lot of us and our children." Along with the food was a gift of attractive party plates and a letter from the staff and from the vice president and regional general manager, Michael O'Leary of the London Regional Office. Jenny Wilson, whose given name is really Gladys, was impressed. She carefully read Mr. O'Leary's letter and was visibly touched when manager Coghlin read the message from the local staff which he had written himself that very morning. "At times," said Mr. Coghlin, "you likely wanted to tell me to hit the waste basket instead of the floor, or to tell the girls to watch where they threw the stamps, as I know it was very hard to get the ink out of the counter tops and desks, and what about the farmers who forgot to sweep their feet?" "Yes," said Jenny emphatically, "especially in the win- tertime." Mr. Coghliin also recalled the times the staff had a little party and forgot to completely clean up. "It was always clean in the morning and all you got were the empties." And, he added, "What about the winter mornings we arrived and you were clearing the doorway for us ... or about the time Jack (Wilson) put the mouse on the hall, tree and nearly caused a riot." The mouse story got a good laugh from both Jenny and long-time employee Lois Simmons. They recalled how Jenny's husband had been helping clean the old bank one night and had caught a couple of long-tailed mice. "That old bank had a lot of mice and Jack got a couple of them and tied them by their tails to the hall tree," Jenny laughed. "Yes, and we hung our coats on that tree.for nearly a week before one of us noticed them," said Mrs. Simmons. The "notice" took the form of some high pitched screaming. On another occasion Jenny was in the bank early in the morning when a police officer came to the door. "I just wasn't too particular about letting him in, but I did after I asked him for his identification — maybe I shouldn't have done that." The alarm had gone off for some unknown reason and the policeman who was new to the area had come to check it out. "We recognized most of the police — we got to know them," Jenny said. It took Mrs. Wilson about an hour and a half every week night to keep the bank clean. "I enjoyed the work and it was so much easier when they built the new bank. This is a lovely branch. I usually came down around 6:30 p.m., but sometimes it would be 10:30 — afte�r a church supper or something. On those occasions I'd be tired and I didn't like the idea of having to go to the bank, but once '1 got here it was fine." Jenny says her husband talked her into retiring. "He said it would mean we could go more places in the evening — but so far he hasn't taken me anywhere," she laughed. When she heard that both her' husband and two sons, John and Donald, both of Fordwich had been in on the secret of the staff party, Jenny said, "Oh those rascals — I'm not going to let them forget this. Not a single word did I hear." Jenny Wilson is well-known in the village for both her pleasant personality and her support of community affairs. A member of the Fordwich United Church she has been the mainstay of the church's vacation Bible school for over 20 years. She is active in the church choir. In fact, Jenny Wilson attends just about every community function in Fordwich and is known throughout the area for her skating ability. At winter carnivals, dressed in authentic pioneer finery, she is a favorite, circling the rink with the graceful strides now associated with speed skaters. In his remarks bank manager, Don Coghlin also said the staff will "remember the treats that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny used to bring and leave overnight". "And we're sure going to miss Jenny calling up and asking how many are working in the bank today," another staffer said. Those telephone calls would be followed in about an hour with a box of home -baked goodies. "Jenny, we hope you will enjoy your retirement," said Mr. Coghlin, "although we know that your inylvement in other activities will likely increase now. "Best of luck and thank you, Jenny."