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The Times Advocate, 2007-08-29, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, August 29, 2007 ocna =CNA Editorial Opinion*ea Alse n = MISIM TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Canada Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor CN 2007 BLUE RIBBON Si ft The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Media Group Ltd. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Senseless action rson is one of those cowardly acts whose motive is hard to determine. Firefighters (and farmers) in Huron County have been kept busy lately with a string of straw bale arsons mostly in the central and eastern areas of the county. According to a report released from Huron OPP over the weekend, damage is expected to exceed $200,000. A series of fires took place Aug. 25 between midnight and 8 a.m. Thankfully nobody has been injured in the fires, but that could change in the blink of an eye. It goes without saying that deliberately destroying another person's property is a selfish and cruel act, not to mention dangerous. It wouldn't take much for one of these fires to spread, although with the recent rain at least the fields aren't as dry as they were earlier in the summer. In these recent cases of arson, farmers' livelihoods are being attacked. Setting straw bales on fire may seem like a fun prank for some bored malcontents, but the property owners, firefighters and OPP aren't amused. Here's hoping the fires stop and the offenders are caught soon. Vick apology rings hollow Disgust is one word of many that immediately comes to mind in light of the federal dogfighting charges dis- graced NFL star Michael Vick pleaded guilty to Monday. Vick won't be sentenced until December, but there are many animal lovers out there hoping he gets the full five-year sentence some have suggested is possible. As if the act of forcing dogs to fight wasn't horrific enough, reports stated that dogs who didn't perform well were executed by methods such as hanging, drowning and electrocution. Nice. Is there anyone out there who can even comprehend how anyone could do that to a dog? How do you get your kicks from dogfighting? You'd think a multi -mil- lionaire athlete with the world in the paha of his hands could find something better to do with his time. Vick, his future up in the air, issued the perfunctory apology yesterday. "I made a mistake of using bad judgment and making bad decisions," he said. "Dogfighting is a terrible thing, and I do reject it." Too bad he didn't reject it before the dogs were abused and killed. Vick also claims he will redeem himself. That promise seems as hollow as his apology. `Bean' there before and still lovin' it Once again Zurich shone with its 42nd Annual Bean Festival this past weekend, drawing large crowds from near and far to participate in what I consider to be the biggest summer event in the area. Things were a little touch and go Saturday as the rain came down, but thankfully when I made it there early Saturday afternoon, the sky was clear and the sun was shining. I'm sorry for the rest of you who may have gotten an unwanted shower, although nothing would compare to the downpour during the 39th Annual Bean Festival. Yes, I remember this well. I had just taken my first leap into journalism, getting hired at the T -A as a reporter and pho- tographer. Of course I was a little shy and a little ner- vous, although that's definitely changed over the past two years. So there I was. It was my first weekend reporting for the T -A and probably my first time in Zurich. I was also dog sitting that weekend, a lovable Jack Russell named Molly. I brought Molly and I brought my mom, think- ing we could have some fun, checking out the various events and vendors. Well, we did have fun, but we also got soaked. What a day. The dog was smelly and wet (ever smelled a wet dog? That's all you could smell on the way back to Nairn), my mom was also wet, but thankful- ly not smelly, and I was wet and upset. I really didn't want to lose my job after getting hired two weeks prior. But, I thought, "Suck it up," and I did. My pictures turned out great. Although the day's activities were wrapped up early, many people kept their high spirits, letting me take pic- tures of them anyway. This also taught me a little bit of rain is nothing to worry about and keeping a positive attitude will help no matter what happens. So back to this year. I'll admit I was a little concerned driving to Zurich in the midst of showers, but upon arriving, the sun was shining brightly and people were everywhere having a great time. I was also having fun. This year I brought a friend, and having four others meet us in Zurich was a blast. I was able to combine work with play. Not a lot of people can do that. My friends and I made it to most events. I especially enjoyed walking around the Custom Rod & Antique Car Show. Although I would have enjoyed it more if I could've taken one for a spin (if any car owners are reading this, call me!) Another event I found entertaining, was Dr. Charles Wallace's Frog Jumping Contest, which drew many children. It was so cute! Well, the kids were cute. The frogs not so much. The entertainment this year was also fantastic, with the likes of the T -A's very own Kelly Gackstetter singing some jazz. Another performer I was impressed with was Zurich's Marcel Gelinas, who belted out several rock n' roll tunes, while playing the keyboard. And of course the beans, which were, as always, very yummy Although the car ride home was anything but...just kidding! NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales ....519-235-1331 24-hour automated attendant 519-235-1336 Fax number for all departments 519-235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada:$160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $12 for 20 words, 20(t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, 519-235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings 519-235-1336 (leave message) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 2 p.m. E-mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext 103/114 Nikki Cyr .ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111