The Times Advocate, 2005-07-27, Page 5Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Exeter Times—Advocate
5
Opinion Forum News
ROSS
HAUGH
BACK IN TIME
10 YEARS AGO
July 26, 1995 - Exeter's new
reservoir which is being dug out
beside the community swimming
pool will have twice the capacity
as the current water storage facil-
ity. The reservoir will measure 50
metres by 50 metres and will be
10 feet deep.
The 131st Zurich Fall Fair was
again a huge success. Rene
Sweeney was named Fair
Ambassador. Alicia Crete was first runnerup.
The Kelly -Miller Brothers circus rolled into Port
Blake on Thursday to entertain over 2,000 specta-
tors from Grand Bend and surrounding areas. The
event was sponsored by the Grand Bend Rotary
Club.
20YEARS AGO
July 24, 1985 - The sun was shining brightly in
Kirkton Wednesday evening, but for the first time in
41 years it really didn't matter if it rained or not.
For the first time since 1944 the annual garden
party was not scheduled.
A firm of London accountants that advised two
area investors to put their money into a shaky
London restaurant has been directed to repay the
investors $47,399 for the bad advice.
35 YEARS AGO
August 1, 1970 -Grand Bend council is enforcing
a new two hour parking limit from nine in the
morning until seven at night each day until
September 15.
50YEARS AGO
July 31, 1955 - No relief in sight is the hot news
from the weatherman. The mercury reached 91.3
degrees last Thursday and could touch 95 in the
next day or two. District crops are wilting under the
hot sun. Some observers say it hasn't been this hot
and dry for 41 years.
Staffa school's most prominent graduate, Hon.
William H. Goulding now 76 was the guest speaker
at the school's reunion Saturday.
60YEARS AGO
August 2, 1945 - The Lakeview Casino at Grand
Bend has nightly dancing to the music of Stan
Patton and his orchestra and a special concert was
presented on July 26 by Canada's finest orchestra
led by Mart Kenney. Admission was one dollar.
Plymouth binder twine is available at Traquair's
Hardware for $4.20 per hundred pounds.
Hard surfacing of the St. Marys road in Usborne
township from the highway to Winchelsea is now in
progress.
Expenses for CCF candidate J.E. Huckins in the
recent provincial election are listed at $326.38
while Liberal Jas. Ballantyne spent $667.59.
Honours for the largest family in this area to
receive the family allowance goes to Mr. and Mrs.
Albert Smith who reside three miles south of Zurich
with a family of 13 children all under 16 years of
age.
70YEARS AGO
July 31, 1935 - As part of Exeter's Old Boys and
Girls Reunion, Tuesday evening featured a music
festival and tattoo led by the famous Waterloo band
in which also appeared bands from Forest,
Seaforth, Dashwood, Hensall and Exeter.
On Saturday, the Memorial Pillars at the south
entrance of Exeter were unveiled. One pillar was
erected in honour of the first white settlers in 1830
and the other in honour of the incorporation of the
village of Exeter in the year 1873.
With new sidewalks, decorative street lighting,
poleless and wireless business section, with every
store and office front newly painted Exeter wel-
comed her Old Boys and Girls and friends within a
large radius to inspect the first Century of Progress
and help citizens celebrate in a fitting matter this
great event.
85YEARS AGO
August 3, 1920 - The town of Exeter has passed a
bylaw to borrow $8,000 to pay for the construction
of a concrete payment on Wellington street. The vil-
lage now has debentures totalling $59,184.11
The Grand Truck Railway is offering harvest help
excursions to Winnipeg for $15.
1 I OYEARS AGO
August 3, 1985 - At the Kirkton Post Office eggs
are 12 cents a dozen and butter 10 cents a pound.
At the harness races at Exeter Agricultural Park,
Dan Hicks owned by Daniel Hicks of Centralia won
the green trot in a time of 1.36 for a half mile.
Seniors' Perspective
By Jim Bearss
ADULT ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATOR
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good begin-
ning and a good ending; and to have the two as close
together as possible. -GEORGE BURws
Country Festival:
Come home to the Country Festival, Seaforth, July 29 —
July 31. All weekend enjoy dances, tournaments, tours,
summer carnival, Egmondville House flea market, craft
market at the Seaforth Public School and the hospitality
tent with local talent at the Legion. Sunday a
community church service at the arena and in
the afternoon enjoy the downtown Swing Band
Concert and stroll around the town and enjoy
the sights! Ontario's West Coast Official
Vacation Guide .
55th Annual Canadian Open Old Time
Fiddle Championship at Shelburne,
Ontario:
August 4 — 8, 4 days of family fun including
fiddle workshops, concerts, the Canadian Open
Fiddle Championship, parade, Farmers'
Market, midway, arts and crafts. Presented by Shelburne
Rotary Club. Phone: (519) 925-3551
Town & Country GolfTournament:
Will be held Saturday, August 6th, 2005 at Woodlands
Links Golf Club, Clinton. Your day will include: 18 holes
of golf, steak dinner, cash prizes, putting contest, hole in
one. Prizes for everyone. Best ball/scramble, experienced
and novice golfers welcome Register early. For more
information contact Town & Country Support Services in
Exeter at (519) 235-0258 or (519) 357-3222.
Antique 1924 John Goodison Steam Engine
Threshing
Sat. Aug. 06, 2005, 1 pm to 4.30 Wheat cut with an
antique grain binder, hear the sounds & smell of the old
times. See a 1880 stone crusher, black smiths, antique
autos, and tractors, music and Lucan Heritage food
counter, souvenir shirts & books, free admission except
for food & souvenirs. Two tents for your comfort. This is
the 60th anniversary for the War Veterans, to honour
them we (will) have old army vehicles on hand. Come
reminisce of old times, or learn how things were done in
the past. Events on Sunday Aug 07 will be the same
except for the Veterans participation.
From Elginfield go five miles west on number 7 Hwy. to
the curve, then take Neil Road north or right 3/4 mile. If
you want to bring something of interest, do so. For more
information call 519 293 30 25 or 227 4887.
Decoration Day:
South Huron Council issues an invitation to attend
Decoration Day at the Exeter Public Cemetery on August
14th, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. The service will be held adjacent
to the mausoleum. Guest speaker is Rev. Susan Moore.
Everyone welcome. In case of rain, service will be held at
Caven Presbyterian Church, 68 Main Street South,
Exeter.
South Huron Chamber of commerce Hole in
One GolfTournament:
South Huron Chamber of commerce Hole in One Golf
Tournament takes place Thursday August 18th at Exeter
Golf Club. 9 holes, steak BBQ, hole in one winner drives
home in a Cadillac CTS from HMP. For more information
call the Chamber of Commerce office for more details
235-4520.
Quilt Show:
The Grand Bend Woman's Institute is hosting a Bus
trip on September 17, 2005. At this show, you can view
up to 600+ quilts, quilts for sale, demonstrations and
workshops. This show is being held at the International
Centre Hall 1, Mississauga, Ontario. Sponsored by the
Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario. For more
information, ticket prices, bus times, and reservation
information, please contact Cass Lovie 238-2727 or
Brenda Love 238-2749.
"South Huron Hospital Association 1st Annual
Fundraising Golf Tournament." This event will be held
on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at the Ironwood
Gold Club. Many letters have been sent out to local busi-
nesses and suppliers for sponsorship, as well as
prizes/gift certificates and items for our "goodie bags".
The response has been great! ! If you wish to sponsor a
hole or donate a prize, please contact Elaine Keller -
(519) 235-2700 ext. 253. The entry fee for golf is $125.00
(portion of this amount is tax deductible). This will
include golf and 1/2 of a golf cart, reception, dinner,
competitions and many door prizes. We are planning on
holding a silent and live auction as well as "hole events"
in which you will have the opportunity to participate.
Cost for the dinner/banquet only is set at
$40.00 - limited supply of spaces!
If anyone is interested in forming a team, please con-
tact Sherri Harrison at 235-2700 for a Registration
Form. Please register early for the event so you won't be
disappointed. The deadline for registration (along with
payment) is August 01, 2005.
For further information, feel free to contact the hospital
or clinic.
Sherri Harrison 235-3343 or 235-2700
Legion News:
Annual Rummage Sale to be held in the Legion
Saturday August 27, 2005, many items are needed and
please contact Harvey Hillman at (519) 236-1167
or the Legion at (519) 235-2962.
Aging in Canada
The Elderly and Poverty
Most people pay their own way throughout their
lives. However, when they become old, employ-
ment ceases, income falls, and many things are no
longer affordable. Even seniors whose incomes are
above poverty levels must watch their dollars care-
fully.
Among seniors, women are more than twice as
Jim Bearss likely as men to have low incomes. In 1997, 24% of
all women aged 65 and over lived in poverty, com-
pared with 12% of men aged 65 and over. Unattached
seniors are far more likely to be poor than those who live
in families. In 1997, 45% of all unattached individuals
aged 65 and over were considered poor, compared with
only 6% of seniors that lived with either their spouse or
other immediate family members. Moreover, among
seniors who live alone, women are considerably more
likely than men to have low incomes. In 1997, almost
half of these women (49%) had low incomes, compared
with 33% of men.
The Elderly and Isolation
Seniors who live alone, without families or in isolation
from their families, have the most difficult time coping
with limited incomes, and are likely to experience
extreme isolation. Moreover, the proportion of live -alone
seniors is rising. In 1996, 29% of seniors lived by them-
selves, up from 27% in 1981 and 20% in 1971. By com-
parison, only 9% of people between the ages of 15 and
64 in 1996 lived alone.
Elderly women, especially those in older age ranges,
are far less likely than elderly men to be living with fami-
ly members. In 1996, only 40% of women aged 85 and
over and 49% of those aged 75 to 84 lived with members
of their family.
The percentage of senior women living with their
spouse declines sharply with age.
The Growing Crisis in Elderly Care Costs
As the elderly population becomes a larger part of the
Canadian population, the national costs of providing
health care will increase dramatically. At the same time,
the employed labour force base required to support this
population will fall as a proportion of the national popu-
lation. This base will not only have to support a growing
elderly population, it will have to provide the tax revenue
for schools, the construction of water and sewer systems,
the maintenance of the national transportation system,
and all other public functions. Clearly, costs will be cut
wherever possible.
One area in which care for the elderly can be reduced
is institutional care, research based on British Columbia
estimated that it cost an average of $5,413 annually to
care for a patient at home, compared with $12,504 in an
institution. The research demonstrates that these savings
are realized even when extraordinary costs related to
home care are factored in, such as more emergency
room and physician visits, higher prescription -drug use,
homemaking services and adult daycare.
Stephen Township
This township gets its name from James Stephen Jr.,
who was Under-Secretary of State for the colonies in the
regime of both Lord Goderich and Lord Glenelg. The
Township of Stephen is bounded on the north by the
Township of Hay; on the east by the Township of
Usborne and the Township of Biddulph in the County of
Middlesex; on the south by McGillivray Township, also in
Middlesex, and by Bosanquet Township in Lambton
County. Its western boundary is Lake Huron and consists
of 53,844 acres. The eastern half of the township is good
rolling land, well drained, and it early attracted settlers
interested in farming. The western half was cut up by
the Aux Sables River. Before man interfered with the
natural course of the river it created large swamps.
Great stands of timber was found in the early days and
in the first phase of settlement attracted pioneers, espe-
cially French Canadians, who were lumbermen rather
than farmers. By 1840 there were only 213 settlers, by
1850 it had increased to 742, but by 1861 there was a
See PERSPECTIVE page 6
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