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The Huron Expositor, 1979-01-11, Page 2siSsW Since 1860, Serving the Community fi rst Published at SEAFORTH; ONTARIO every Thursday morning byMeLEAN BROS. PUBLISHES LTD ANDREW Y. McLEAN, Publisher SUSAN WHITE,Editer ALICE GIBB, News Editor Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assbciaton Ontario Weekly Newspaper Associaton. and Audit Bureau Of Circulation Subscription Rates: Cana. fin advance) Sl24X1R•Fear Outside Canada (in advance) $20.00 a Year .SINGLE COPiISr —25 CENTS EACH $ecgndClass Mail Registration Number.0t96. Telephone 527-0240 , SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, JANUARY 1t, 1979 Enrolment decline hurts. We see that Toronto high school students, polled by a daily in that city, think a retesting of their teachers every five years to see whether or not they keep their jobs is a great idea, That reaction certainly isn't surprising. Teachers on the same retesting idea wouldprobably be equally unethusiastic. The concept, su99ested by Dr. Robert Jackson's commission on declining enrolme(tt, is as potentially threatening to the one group as a is potentially Ijberating to the other. The retesting maybe too extreme...would newspaper editors, doctors, farmers and Main St. merchants not be a tittle upset about either passing a test every five years or being shown the door' (Would newspaper editors pass such a test? ); But it points up one of many real problems that will hurt our schools as student enrolment in Ontario continues its decline. (We reject Dr. Jackson's and MPP Lorne Henderson's suggestions that larger families be encouraged and see 'no turn -around in the decline.) As gasses shrink; and teaching jobs with them,, teachers will naturally get more concerned withholding on to their jobs.' There won't be much room for nevwteachers at the bdttomof the profession and few veterans, even though they might be feeling stale and in need of a change, would' riskgivingupteaching. There may be some creati alternatives, like sharing teachingjobs J and salaries, bringing in new teachers to teach night school and adult 9 9 9 classes rather than giving ivin permanent teachers more hours or teachers getting recharged by changing their subjects rather than quitting the classroom altogether, The Jackson report has suggested some of these. It's gotten us all to P 99 9 realize that declining enrolment is more: than .a phrase: There have to be solutions in order to keep our teachers doing : the best,possible, job, our students stimulated and.` our taxpayersvnot s, �,.,,p • . 1 , unduly pressed. But the declining student population is a given fact we have to work with:'; al's in dividing it up that we'll have to show a lot of imagination. glen. by. Karl Schuessler n playing cards Out in `the country you're nobody if you.. don'tla p y cards: During the holiday season, I' tried to become a somebody. I figured if I had a good go at cards with my family, 1'd be ready to take on anyone in this card playing`district. - For three nights straight I`g-ave my hand to euchre: You must understand. Playing ,cards has never been my idea of adult evening' entertainment. That first night everyone was so eager to get started: They couldn't wait to get out the deck and start dealing. My oldest son Scott slowed down their momentum. "I think we ought to explain to Dad just how this game works," he said. And for ten minutes—lawyer that he is -1 think those fellows figure they get. paid for the amount of words they use—my boy explained the mysteries . of euchre to me. ''Come on, let's . get' started" one of the anxious ones insisted, "Dad ipick it up as .he goes along. He'll 'catch on fast:. enough..:. Scott wasn't listening. He didn't believe in throw -'em -in -and -let -'em -sink or swim. methods. "Now let's: be patient," he assured everyone. "it's'not fair to pull rules out of the air as we go along. If Dad understands the game, he'll like it better. Play better." The restless ones fussed' and fumed while Scott carried on his euchre mono- logue. It;felt so good to have my son on my side—protecting and defending his father. That's what happenswhen, your oldest son gets 25 years down the road. Scott wanted to make sure I learned all. about trumps, tricks and right and left, bowers. It wasn't easy. I'm the first to admit I don't catch on to cards all that fast, And then when a game takes good English words, ancient words, and turnsthem into new directions, that makes it even worse. I always knew that trump was short for trumpet, And l had St. Paul to prove it. He 'wrote: "Lo, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed: In aornent ' m .tn the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." And as for tricks well, very..o a ne knows what a trick is, silly. And if not that kind of foolery, then another kind of'foolish folly. That's what those shady ladies of the night do. And that's their kind of business and I'm not talking'. about that,at all. And when it comes to bowers, I know that's a good German peasant, but what that has to do with a jack card I didn't ' understand, much leas why he had right and left ones too. Scott said he didn't understand either, but he assured me it Was legitimate; He said there were some things in card games I had to 'accept on pure faith. 1'd just have to go along with the rules. Some one in the group thought this short course in euchre wasn't enough.. He - suggested' I needed somebody to stand over my shoulder and help me. They brought .in.Alex ,Drummond from the living room to my side. Alex told me he was sure I was able to play the game on my own, but the group insisted. Alexa of course, is an old hand at cards. I bet he's played euchre .., ever since he could recognize a jack. I wondered if Alex was putting me on. Only an 'hour before" his son Lloyd beat me at chess in six. moves: And I have it on good authority Alex taught him the game:` My daughter smiled when she saw her father-in-law was going to be my coach. With that kind of re-inforcement she figured she now had a chance of winning even though I: was her partner. And midway through the game," I picked. up a card and declared it trump. Alex, p my back-up, whispered to me, "Why did you. * do a thing like that?" "Never mind," I said, "I want to bluff my way •through this one." Scott overheard. "Dad; you don't bluff your way in euchre," he said. He paused, "Are you. sure you know how to play this game?I think 'I should explain the rules again." • The players all 'groaned. They tossed. down their cards and leaned back in their chairs -for monologue two -a repeat of monologue one. Mother maybe yb e w e need a 'few..: 1 refreshments,'' I tried .to cheer the gang up. And while mother„refreshed with 11 drinks, Scott refreshed me in euchre. We started.out once again. And into the second hand, Laura said, "Remember, Dad, sp des are trump.” All eYes stuck on me.'The all l waited artt ed for me to lay down my card. • "'Remember, you have to follow suit," "But," said Laura, "Spades are tru'fnp, i Spades. Trump." I didn't dare to make a lousy move. I had to prove myself. Without Alex's help; But. I wanted to make sure. I: wanted to check with Scott again, "What did you say truni meant P Scott?" That one honest-tindere•question did it, It did me in. It 'brought down the house—and every card in everyone's hand. The group said Alex should take my Once. They sent me out to the kitchen for more gingerale and potato chips. When I came back with the refills, they told me to stand behind Alex and watch him play, I'm still watching. No one ever asks me to play euchre with them anymore. And when I ask them if the.. want hand Y a at euchre, they all say they're busy, At this tate, I'll always be a nobody in the country, WHO DO YOU KNOW? — It was obviously. an important; community occasion when -these people gathered from the Beechwood ar about 1890. Does anyone know -the occasion and the people involved?Thanks for the loan of this photo, , to' Expositor reader Harry Thompson. (Expositor Photo) JANUARY 10;1879 Cameron, J.W. Ortwien. Hullet, Reeve E. Adams, Councillors James Leiper, H. Magridge, James Forbes, Robert Lawson. Stanley—Reeve Arthur P. Keyes, Councillors: John Etue, Goldie Graham, Mervyn Hanley, Wm. Carr, Thos Webster. John Cameron of Bayfield moved to his '. home which he built last summer having sold the home•place to John Parker. Wm, Rae whiff was engaged as Principal of the ;Bayfield school during. Christmas week has commenced duties. Ken Ament who = spent the. Christmas holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ament has returned to Calgary. A very successful temperance gathering came off in the village of Varna. David Wanless occupied the chair. Addresses were. delivered by Sam Stark and Dr. Campbell of Seaforth, A social washeld in the Methodist Episcopal church in McKillop when Wm. Bell occupied the chair. The Great. Western Railway Company had a car load of cattle loaded' at Brussels for Toronto on the 2nd of January; the morning of the big storm and as they could notget them away had to have them unloaded and "stabled for six days. ' All traffic on the London Huron and Bruce Railroad was suspended from Thursday until. the following Tuesday. About 30 passengers had to take quarters in Bruce&Id,' a number of whom as soon asthe storm had partially abated started for their destinations on foot. The new . High school was formally on Tuesday last: The chair was taken by S.G. McCauhey: It is a neat two Storey edificeand presents a very attractive building and the interior is well arranged. JANUARY 8,1904 W.S. Lawrence of Ottawa has sold his 100 acre farm on the Huron Road Tuckersmith to W. Ball of Auburn. for 54900.00 ` ,t Weregret to learn that George Merger ofr: Dashwood met with a severe accident While'e' engaged in cutting straw at H. freeman's. it seems he fell and not only broke his leg but split the knee cap: Patrick Nolan has taken a,contract to cut a quantity of wood for S. McPherson. The roads at Walton are in a dreadful state at present which makes teaming impossible. The snow on the level at St: Columban i reaches to the top of the elevated sidewalk.. Ala -Smith the well-known hog buyer at Hensall paid out on a recent day nearly 52500 for hogs. JANUARY 11, 1929 Municipal elections in the area resulted as follows Seaforth, Mayor W.H. Golding; Reeve J.W. Beattie; Councillors Geo, P, Cardno, Herbert Boxy W.A. Crich, R.G. Parke, Thos. Bickel], P.D. Hutchinson,' all by acclaimation. • • Hensel!, Reeve- Robert 'Biggins; Council- lors James Sangster,G.C. Peety, 'Robert-. F.G..Neelin of town who left for Florida where he intended spending the winter with Mrs. Neelin was taken ill at the home of his son in Toronto and has been confined to bed there. The first round of the juvenile hockey league was played off at the Palace Rink on Saturday. Ginger Cardno notched the only. goal of the game. Cardno, Case and Ferguson drew minor penalties. Sam Rennie and his Millionaires downed the Maroons to the tune of 5.2. JANUARY 15, 1954 Before e? decision is taken concerning installation of artificial ice in Hensallarena the'park board will `obtain complete, inform- ation -as to_cosiof nformation-as.to_cost_of installation and operation. _ a special meeting of groups interested in the - proposal decided: Seaforth'. Dons D kt ct G Carlton Wells of London atl their meeting. There need be no fear. on the part of Egmondville residents concerning damage resulting from Seaforth's proposed sewage plant, members of Tuckersmith Council were assured Monday night as they waited on Seaforth Council. The Hospital Auxiliary to Scott Memorial Hospital met at the nurses' residence with a fair attendance. Miss V. Drope gave a creditable report on the work being' done in the hospital, stating that there had been more operations and. more babies than in 1952. Seaforth ' 0 e rthW Women's Institute •s sponsored ored al euchre and dance in the Community Centre and there were; 30 tables in play. Murdocks heard• i ri overnoi• To the editor: Praises' firemen; Clarence It has been said that"the evil that men do lives after them and the good is often buried' with their bones." So, "it is nice to hear that in Seaforth, deserving people are given due credit when they are alive to enjoy it.' in other words, it seems very fitting that When bouquets are being thrown at someone, they are alive to not only catch the flowers but able to knell the aroma. One such :person emerged.. in ,Seaforth recently at the apartment 'fire on Main Street. One prominent fact publicly ac- claimed was the, . quickness and efficient manner in which the fire was under control. Although a life was lost, the fire could have been an added tragedy because it could have spread to adjoiningrooms and buildings: It was' Clarence Reeves who alerted the occupants of the danger in the apartments, Clarence had the courage to rouse the sleeping tenants in this early hour, 1 wonder how manyof us would take such a risk to place our life in jeopardy to take time to warn our fellow man? Yet, Clarence wet indeed' :a herb" who played the major role, in actually saving°lives by taking time to alert his fellow citizens. Harvey Dale was, one of many supporters of Clarence and he was very complimentary of the effective work of ,the' Seaforth Fire Department, Their history of quick and• dedicated service is indeed a confirmation of his' praise, Dr. Rodger Whitman spoke in a positive manner of Clarence. Rodger accent- uated the ,positive and " eliminated any negative in his remarks on the hero. Harry Hak, Fire Chief in Seaforth, was gratified to hear' of citizens' 'comments regarding the incidentand 'he had a good word for Clarence. ' Theeed that Clarence B . _ and the Seaforth Fire Department did, will not be buried with their bones but be aired and enjoyed now. Clarence did receive some recogniti6n g in the Inedia, It certainly would be nice to see him his some award' for ' getis contribution in „ avertin,.. further tragedies,. ' g In closing,, one ; giant cheer for Clarence with a strcngchorus.. for the Seaforth Fire Department! Sincerely; • John B. McCarroll; Stratford ,Orchestra furnished the','ipiusic and; Mrs. S. Pepper. was Mistress of ceremonies. The prize winners were ladies. first, Mrs. Thos: Hodgert, lone hands, Peter McIver., con- solation Robert Taylor, turkey lunch 'prize, Mrs.' R. J. Doig. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson Charters of the Mill Road who purchased thefarm formerly owned by Thos. Kay are nicely settled in. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Kramers marked their 25th anniversary. Theywere presented with a chest of silver by their family. The Y.P.U. of Winthrop was held in Cavan 1 Church. The officers. were as. follows:. '. President, James; Axtmant Vice 'President, Joan So�m�nmerville; . Secretary treasurer, Laverne Godkin: Mrs. Wm,' Anderson,; McKillop had the misfortune`to fall in her home and break her hip. Mr. and Mrs. Otto 'Walker of Cromarty were pleasantly surprised when the_mem- F bers of their family gathered' to celebrate - their .; silver anniversary. An address was read by Lloyd Sorsdahl and the presentation of a floor lamp was made by John Wallace. Behind the scenes by Keith Roulston_ What's wrong with Canadian? Down in Toronto these days they're busy making a movie. It's based on the murder mystery Sin Sniper, written by one' of Canada's best known authors; Hugh Garner and set in Toronto's Cabbagetown area:.,, Except it's not called Sin Sniper, but Stone Cold Dead And it won't look:ikett's in Toronto but instead in some faceless American city. The' locations are being B chosen to look like those one might see in an American cityand all mention of Canada is being downplayed even though the movie is being made in Canada by Canadians from a Canadian book by a Canadian author about a Canadian city, Down in' Montreal they're making a movie .in the streets. of the -city but are covering over all the street'names that sound like - they're in Montreal in favour of t,mes that might show up in any typical American city. And so it goes. n. A while back Pierre Berton wrote a book called Hollywood's Canada dealing with the hilarious ways the American movie industry used toportray Canada. It seems there's an even greater opportunity for a book,today called Canada's Hollywood about the ridicu- lous way Canadians are treating themselves in movies. In the' right hands, such a book ought to be hilarious. There are more movies being made in Canada today than ever before. There .are fewer movies being made about. Canada today than just about any time in the last decade: It used to 'be. that Canadians film makers made self-conscious ' 1' ittle films --on shoestring budgets that nobody ever got to see, sometimes because the movie theatres were controlled' by the big U.S distribution companies which wanted topush their own! products, good or bad; and sometimes ° because the Canadian movies were just gosh awful bad, But now and then there was a diamond 1m the rough, a' charming little movie that would make people gee,' say;if only that P P writer had a "little more" ' ni mey and better, talent so he could do a reaily good job. Well the Canadian government decided to do its part by bringing, in tax; incentives to get people to invest their money in movies made in Canada. For short while we had moderately budgeted films 1 i kc Why Shoot the Teacher and Who Has Seen: the Wind and Lies My Father Told Me, which. were bothenjoyable and Canadian. But then, people began p p t thinkthey had to break the U.S. market to get the really big money and they were afraid Americans wriuid only go to , •. see movies that looked dike: they were American, Thus, while the Stayed t yed in • Canada to take advantage of the tax break Canadians and:foreigners :be an to make' e' . movies herd that looked like they took place in American Cities and had American. stars. Now there' `are "very i'ew "Canadian" Canadian movies being made at all and nd when they do get made they're' likely to star foreigners. The most ridiculous s age• was • reached when:Two Solitudes, a "movie that couldn't be more Canadian, based as it was on a bookdealing with the English -`French rift in Canada starred an American as the English.` Canadian and a -Frenchman as the French Canadian; The movies, of "course, though beingthe 8 most realistic of art forms have always dwelt . in fantasy, making something look like something else. They make a movie about the_$ahara: in a-NevadaTDe`sert and a movie about Nevada in the Sahara, In'the .;movie`�`--� Superman theyshot p .portions in Alberta which were supposed ' to take place in Kansas. I don't really object to that(as long as our tax money isn't involved). What. I' object to is the present paranoia that makes film makers sell their national birthright in the hope they'll get the pot of gold in the U.S. market. I realise that we can't make every movie so platantly Canadian that people in other parts of the world won't be interested but if you've got a good story I don't think a few Canadian touches will drive people away from1 the Picture. in other P countries. We dont stay home from Ameri- can or British pictures here. I find it ironic that at a time when Canadians still feel got ve the ' o y to. bring in • some American 'stars to win box office for films made here, Americans, picked a Canadian actress Margo Kidder for the female lead in the most expensive picture ever made, Superman: A Canadian ballerina was chosen for the lead in another American picture, Slow Dancing in the Big City. And another Canadian actress Genieve Bujold is one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood..' Yet we continue to bring. in Americans who very few film goers know much about to head our own films. Geroge Mendelik, the man who's making, Toronto look like an American city in Stone Cold Dead says "I'm nothooked on making Canadian films. If you talk to the common Joe, he doesn't give a damn about Carian identity in films." Well George I think you're . wrong. I think that, dive good, enjoyable films, Canadians would chose those that 'show them something at (east about the scenery of their own country rather than one that looks like it's made in some drab, faceless, nowhere land." I make that judgement' after watching people flock to theatre for severif years because theycan' identify with the Canadian characters and ' situations portrayed on stage, something they, 'could . never do before. People are roP• , starved for the sight of somethin ' of .. themselves on stage, on television, at something of movies. They just want entertaining, qualit- Y production along with their Canadian identity. What's happening because of peP o le like Mn Mendel i k is a tragedy. After all these years we finally have many films being made in Canada but for all the good it's doing us, they might as well be made in Hollywood, At least there they might try to juice things up by. nicking Pasadena look like Vancouver.