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Zurich Citizens News, 1977-07-20, Page 4Page 4 Citizens News, July 20, 1.977 MY WIFE'S CAR GETS 32 MILES '.. TOR FENDER co e to the fair During the Middle Ages fairs were es- tablished to bring traders and customers together at specified times to do business. Goods of every kind were sold, both wholesale and retail. People travelled great distances to these gatherings. Canada's rural agricultural fairs also draw many visitors. Traditionally these fairs honour producer, homemaker and craftsman. They are also meaningful social occcasions for their communities — a time for celebration, pleasure and giving thanks. This Friday Zurich's fair opens. Come along and have a good time. It only happens once a year. Out of the blue In the United States, lightning is con- sidered by authorities to be a bigger threat to life than floods. It is estimated that light- ning kills one person and injures four in that country every day. Such is not the case in Canada. Statistics Canada, for example, shows that only six people were killed by lightning in 1974 (last complete statistics). One Toronto newspaper (The Globe and Mail) says its files show that 104 Canadians died from the bolts between 1962 and 1972, with eighty per cent of the deaths occuring in Ontario and Quebec. In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in deaths by lightning -10 people were kill- ed in Ontario between July 1975 and June 1976—a result of more lightning storms, ac- cording to specialists. The Ontario Safety League states that you can expect, in your immediate square mile, one or two strokes during each thunderstorm. If your area, for example„ has 25 electrical storms yearly, you may expect from 25 to 50 lightning bolts to hit within a half -mile of your house this year. According to the League, the most dangerous time is just before the storm when dark clouds appear and the air is charged with electricity. If you are out- doors at that time and your hair feels as if it is standing on end, you are being set up as a perfect lightning target,. If you're in or on the water, get out. Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, overhead wires or towers, and machinery. Avoid isolated trees and wide-open spaces where you might be the tallest thing around. A struc- ture made of any type of metal will provide good protection, since metal is an excellent electrical conductdr. If this is not available and you are on open ground, lie flat. If you are inside, don't stand in doorways or near open windows. Keep away from the fireplace, sink, bathroom fixtures, the phone and the television set. It makes good sense to unplug all electrical appliances (lightning can produce an elec- trical current in the TV's antenna and cause a short circuit in the set). Even being trapped in a car is good protection. You are completely surrounded by metal and to the League's knowledge, lightning has never struck an occupant of a rubber -tired automobile. Respect lightning, says the Ontario Safety League. It is erratic and dangerous. FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS Published Each Wednesday By J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. CMA Member: Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association Manager — Betty O'Brien News Editor — Margaret Rodger Second Class Mail Registration Number 1385 Subscription Rates: $7.00 per year in advance in Canada $14.00 per year outside Canada Single copies 20c •11I111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111.11!1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111114 d 9'fl �kf -. Editor's �., ,.-= Desk F.By MARGARET RODGER Been to an auction lately? Auctions are fun, especially those held outdoors in rural areas during summer. Have you ever noticed how merchandise segregates the sexes? Women cluster round the furniture and china; men round the machinery, tools and implements. Dealers and collectors are the exception: they're everywhere. Few of us realize that we're stepping in the sandal - prints of the ancients when we attend auctions. Babylon held them in 500 . B.C. In China, Buddhist temples and monasteries were holding them back in 7 A.D. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 161-180) once helped balance the state's budget with an auction of royal heirlooms. In 17th century English coffee-houses paintings were auctioned. During the French Revolution many jewels and treasures were smuggled into England, then sold at auction to aid aristocrats fleeing the guillotine. The first recorded auction in North America was held at New Amsterdam (now New York) in 1662. The spreading mechanization of factories stimulated trade and brought new prosperity. Auctions subsequently grew in size and number round the world. This selling method depends on supply and demand. Competition among buyers is supposed to force prices as high as the market allows. Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen. Corruptions of the system, such as dealer - buyer rings, have existed for years. Their object is to manipulate bidding so that prices remain low for the most coveted items. About 75 percent of today's auctions, includingthose in Canada, are run on the English pattern, with auctioneer ac- ting for seller and accepting highest bid. In a Dutch, or upside-down auction, he offers items at progressively lower prices till sold. Even in ancient Rome, nods and winks indicated bids. However, some early English auctions were guided by candle-power., Bidding ceased when a candle of specific size had burned out. Caveat emptor — let the buyer beware — is good advice anywhere in the market -place. Especially at auctions, it's up to the individual to know the rules of the game and use sound personal judgment. We can do that and enjoy ourselves just as much. 50 YEARS AGO July 1927 The town of Goderich is celebrating its 100th birthday this coming weekend, and big arrangements are being made to officially mark the occasion. Operations have begun to renovate the interior of the Township Hall, in the village of Zurich. A fine new gallery will be added to the building, and at the same time the stage will be enlarged. The trustees of the village of Zurich have engaged the services of Mr. Hooper, of Seaforth, to dig an artesian well in town for the supply of water to the cement tank for fire protection. 20 YEARS AGO July 1957 On Monday evening the Zurich fire department was called to the farm of Lionel Wilder, on the Bluewater Highway, where Mr. Wilder had fallen to the bottom of a 20 -foot well after having a chain break and hit him on the head. Mr. Wilder was brought to the top of the well, and is recovering nicely after being treated for head wounds at South Huron Hospital. A number of friends and relatives gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Merner, to honorMr. and Mrs. Wes Merner, prior to their departure for Europe, where they will visit with their daughter and son-in- law in France, for some time. Mr. and Mrs. William O'Brien Jr. have returned from their honeymoon' and spent the weekend at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy O'Brien. 10 YEARS AGO July 1967 If you're between the ages of nine and ninety, your services are urgently needed at the Zurich Centennial Community Centre and Arena, on a volunteer basis. In an effort to keep the costs of the building project as low as possible, volunteer workers are needed, either in the daytime, or for a few hours at night. John and Donald Noakes, twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Noakes, Hensall, have come up with their centennial project in the form of a large map of Canada. The map, which is located on the front lawn of their home, is illuminated in the even- ing and draws the attention of all who pass by. The boys are only 12 years old, and completed the en- tire project by themselves. This past Sunday marked the first time in history that all the families of Mrs. Theresa Hart- man ' gathered together for a family reunion. Also present for the occasion were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ducharme, parents of Mrs. Hartman, About 50 children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law and grandchildren attended the event.