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Byline. By Peter Parrott He wore a plumed hat, a sash, polished black boots, and the sword of an officer. His uniform was a replica replica of one worn by the King's Royal Yorkers, a regiment of United Empire Loyalists founded in 1776 by citizens of New York State who wished to remain under British rule. He spoke of the battles in a war that the Americans call their war of independence. He talked about the contributions of the Loyalists to the founding of Ontario 200 years ago. He also spoke about Canadians' tendency to forget their own history even though Canada's past is as dramatic and colorful as that of any other nation. I had to admit that the speaker addressing a meeting of the Newcastle Village and District Historical Society last week had a point. The Canadian past seems to rush by in a blur of redcoats, Mounties, Indians, fur traders, and railroads. Moreover, there's a tendency to downplay the few Canadian heroes we do have. In typical Canadian fashion, we note that Sir John A. Macdonald drank,MacKenzie King was eccentric, and (in more recent months) there's even a cloud cast over the efforts Billy Bishop, the World War I flying ace. What history we do not ignore outright, outright, we deliberately downplay with our excessive Canadian modesty. modesty. But there are other reasons why Canadian history has not become common knowledge. For one thing, Canada always kept close ties to Britain. Even when I went to school, we seemed to spend as much time learning about British kings as Canadian prime ministers. Not that there's anything wrong with maintaining maintaining ties to our British heritage. But when Canadians remained on good terms with their "motherland," "motherland," they also tended to ignore much of their own history. The Americans, who left British rule forcefully, developed their own heroes. If Canada had won a battle of independence, perhaps it, too, would have felt a more fierce national pride. You must also bear in mind that Canada is a relatively new country. Think of all the wide open spaces in Saskatchewan or Alberta which weren't even filled until the immigrations immigrations of the early 20th century. It's hard to have a feeling for a history when the past doesn't extend much beyond the past century or two. In addition, we Canadians have always encouraged immigrants to preserve their own cultures. This may be a desirable goal, but it is in sharp contrast to the "melting pot" philosophy of the United States. And the end result is groups of people who may feel more allegiance allegiance to their own local culture than to the country as a whole. Finally, the country's small population population and vast size has made us more willing to focus on the culture and the history of our American neighbours. For these reasons, and many more, we have downplayed our past. The only good thing that can be said about Canada and its view of history is that this country has not exhibited the kind of nationalistic fervor which starts wars or exploits colonies. Still, I think Canadians could use a dash of pride in their past. But that awareness of the Canadian heritage cannot be produced overnight. overnight. Perhaps we can change gradually. gradually. Education will help. Kids should be taught that Canada's past is every bit as exciting as that of the United States, Britain, Greece or Rome. And we need some books, movies and TV shows that will bring the stories of Canada to a mass audience. audience. I am most certainly not referring referring to stuff which is subsidized by the Canada Council and served up to an elitist audience. We need efforts such as the film Never Cry Wolf which brought Canada Canada to the general public simply by telling a very good story. If some of these things can be done, then perhaps the Canadian past will be preserved and Canadian Canadian roots will not be found in somebody else's garden. Who knows? Perhaps, some day, we'll even re-discoyer those King's Royal Yorkers and give them the place they deserve alongside the Charge of the Light Brigade or Napoleon's Battle of Waterloo, or the U.S. Civil War. LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Sir; I'd like to make a comment regarding regarding Hugh Ninds' letter of January January 11th in which he describes events surrounding wanton youth destructiveness. I can definitely sympathize with Mr. Nind, for I see such malcontent deeds every day for these 'youths' are my peers, for I am seventeen and in high school. These events are just solid evidence evidence of a deeper underlying attitude attitude that is certainly not altruistic in nature. In periods of highly dramatic change, such as our world, social recognition and standard are of the upmost importance, where we try to merge with others, looking for security around us. Teen years are chaotic and any reassurance of acceptance acceptance is most wanted relief. In doing so, we tend to remiss our personal personal identities, and adhere to a set of strict standards, where music and clothing are top priorities. Some kids, seeing this conformity, tend to identify with fringe groups (punkers) where individuality and expressionism are obligatory. At school, this stratification is highly visible, with cliques forming, depending depending on academic and socioeconomic socioeconomic standing. Amongst them there is little communication, because because of divergent interests, which leads to animosity towards each separate coterie Tn some of these groups, violence and rebelliousness rebelliousness prevails, and ;where the future is best left disregarded and ignored. ignored. The cause of this, I can only guess at. We have lived a parasitical lifestyle, lifestyle, molded by our parents who were determined to provide us with an upbringing where hardships are few. This has led to hours of free time, which are filled with television television video games and other dismal time-filler activities. Priorities and principles are blurred from what is generally accepted by normal society. society. Conflicts with parents result from this, leading to disrespect, ignominy ignominy and hostility towards them and any other authoritative figures (teachers). Faced with the increasing increasing threat of nuclear annihilation (of which we are misinformed and naive about) and continued murky employment opportunities, we have developed a disenchanted and embittered attitude towards society. We stop to care about nothing nothing but ourselves and our wellbeing. wellbeing. Our ideals are parochial and self-centered, The situation in the schools today is so perverse and amiss, beyond the point of rescue, that I see no solution. I can only speculate that this will lead to a future full of misanthropic egoists. Yours sincerely, Eric D. Peebles. OHie (Eanabian Statesman 623-3303 Durham County's Great Family Journal Established 130 years ago In 1854. Also Incorporating The Bowmanvllle News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-86 King St. W., Bowmanvllle, Ontario L1C 3K9 JOHN M. JAMES RICHARD A. JAMES Editor -- Publisher Assistant Publisher GEO, P. MORRIS BRIAN PURDY DONALD BISHOP Business Mgr. Advertising Mgr. Plant Mgr. All layouts and composition ol advettlsements produced by the employees ol The Canadian Statesman, The Newcastle Independent and The James Publishing Company Llmllod nre protected by copyright and must not bo reproduced without written permission o| the publishers, $15.00 a year -- 6 months $8,00 strictly In advance foreign - 145.00 a your Although uvury ptocnulion will bo Inktm to avoid vrror, Hm Canadian iltatuuman acceptti advortming In ilti columns on mo undon.lnnding that it will not bo liable lor any mmr in the mlvuitisomunl published Imimuuler unles'i a piool ol such advmliiioimmt is niguiistcd In writing by the advertiser and returned to Thu Canadian Statesman business office duly slgnud by the advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted m writing thereon, and in that case it any «trior so noted is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman Us liability shall not exceed nuih a portion ol the entire c out of larch 'jrlvortislmunt as the space occupied by the noted emu hems to the whole space occupied by Mich advertisement Cold Creek's Dog Sled Races SUGAR and SPICE The Rugged Remain This is the time of year when we get rid of all the undesirables in the community. By undesirables, I mean people with more money than I. They leave our northern community community for Florida, Mexico, the West Indies. ' In one fell swoop we get rid of all the softies, the cowards, the sybarites. In short, the rich whit trash. It's as much a part of our heritage as the Saturday night bath, or spring cleaning. And I think it's a good thing. When the last barber or bricklayer has bragged about being off to the Bahamas, when the last drugist or doctor has informed me pompously that "We'll probably take in Acapulco this year," I feel a sense of relief. The rats have left the Freezing ship, and there's only the hard core, the sturdy pioneer types, the rugged individualist and the poor people left in the temperate (hah ! ) zone. The rest of us, the best of us, can get down to the real glory of winter living, without stumbling over a lot of sissies who are better off down there getting sand in their navels. As one of the old true-blue breed, fighting it out with the elements, I am inclined to scorn them. As a humanitarian, I can only pity them. Think of what they're missing. What is there in the soft and senuous south to equal that crunch of toes breaking off, that crack of bursitis in the shoulder when you throw that first curling stone, that snap of thigh bones on the ski hill? Let's take a look at a couple of these hot-weather hounds. Look at this bird in Florida. Gets out of bed and there's that same old crumby, monontonous sun blazing down, just like all the other days. Same old routine. The inevitable patio; the inevitable trip to the beach with the inevitable obscenely fat softies lying all around. Or the inevitable sweating it out on the golf course with a lot of other middle-aged liars. And here's our pal in Mexico, just getting up at 10:30. He hasn't paid last year's income tax yet, but he's borrowed $1,500 from the bank to make the trip. He has a hangover from those six-ounce, forty-cent Mexican drinks, and a twisted back from trying to tango. His wife, in the other twin bed, looks like an inmate of Belson, because she's had Mexican complaint, commonly known as dire rear, ever since they crossed the border. She whines, he snarles. They totter out into the muggy heat. And another horrible day in Acapulco has begun. It's not like that around here. Down to a jolly breakfast: vitamin pills, cuppa tea and half slice of toast. There's the thrill of variety as you prepare for the day. When dawn comes, will the sun be shining, the snow falling, or a blizzard howling? Out into the wild white yonder. Grab the shovel and make the snow fly, chuckling heartily all the while as you think of those poor slobs in the south, with nothing to do every day but the same old things. The clean, fresh, northern air hits your lungs like a dum-dum bullet. Bark seal-like greeting to neighbor, whose head is just visible oyer his snowbank. Off to the garage. Excitement of wondering whether the car will start. The sheer, demonic joy of belting out the driveway backwards and trying to smash through the bank the snowplow has thrown up. Sometimes you make it. The skidding, slithering adventure of the drive to work. Wheels spinning, visibility 12 feet, every man for himself. And another day of glorious winter living has begun. Don't try to tell me about the seduction of the languous southland. Just give me the crisp, virile challenge of living where men are men. And you can tell them from women. When they get them thawed out. R. R. No. 1, Enniskillen, Ont., LOB 1H0 Feb. 10th, 1984 Gentlemen: Re: Ratepayers 'Action' Group Donation The members of the newly formed Ratepayers Group for the Town of Newcastle would like to thank the Courtice Area Citizens Association (1975) for the donation of $349.22 to assist us with expenses. Mrs. Ruth Kaaz (Enough is Enough) would also like to apologize to the great number of people that phoned and were unable to get through to her as many of you have explained. Mrs. Kaaz hopes to see all of you at the 'Public Meeting' of the Ratepayers Group to be held at the Courtice Courtice Secondary School at 7:39 p.m, Friday, February 17th, 1984, Thank you. Ruth Kaaz Acting Chairman Margaret Rodgers Acting Secretary Treasurer Feb, 7,1984 11, U. 4, Bowmanvllle, Ont. L1C8K5, Dear Mr, James: In the February 1st edition of the 'Statesman' it was reported that "Community Care has cxnanded to serve clients outside Bowmanvillc, in former Darlington Township," This statement should have been made with specific reference to the "Moals-on-Wheels" program only, In fuel, from its beginning six years ago, Community Care has always served the needs of every Senior within the entire Town of Newcastle. Yours truly, Gail Rickard Chairman Newcastle Community Care Dear Editor: It is with some concern that I write to you about a serious problem which will, if allowed to happen, persist witli us for at least 19,000 years. I am, of course, referring to Eldorado's madcap scheme to make Newcastle the site of Canada's first and only PERMANENT nuclear waste dump. Eldorado is presently preparing technical plans, drawings and proposals to bury the nuclear waste from the Port Hope refinery plus the nuclear waste from the Welcome nuclear dump, in the Town of Newcastle. One can only wonder what else will end up in this permanent nuclear dump and where it will come from? The idea of creating a permanent nuclear dump in this area is preposterous! When one considers the fact that in 1978 a panel of experts, made up of Environment Canada personnel plus others selected from various areas of technical disciplines, rejected this side for either a refinery or a nuclear dump, you must start to wonder how much importance Eldorado places in expert views, facts and opinions? Mr. Allan Lawrence, the M.P. of our area, has repeatedly repeatedly stated that the 600,809 cubic .metres of nuclear wastes must be removed from this area. That does not seem to mean across the road or down further into the ground, but to put it somewhere away from the Durham Region into an area remote from people and probable future development. You must start to wonder how much importance Eldorado places in the view of a duly elected federal member of Parliament. The Hon. Marc Lalonde at one time held the portfolio which included the crown corporation Eldorado, When asked a trout the Port Granby nuclear dump, Mr. Lalonde indicated that this nuclear and toxic waste would he removed from Port Granby, starting in 1988, Not once did Mr. Lalonde indicate, or suggest that the nuclear waste would be dug up only to bo reburied in the same area so close to the drinking water source of millions of people of Durham, Toronto and the north shore of New York State. You must start to wonder how much control the federal government has over its own crown corporation or how concerned it is in spending out tax dollars wisely and for the good of the people from whom it collects these taxes. Thu Mayor mid council of the Town of Newcastle and the Chairman and council of the Region of Durham have made presentations to various levels and individuals of the federal government indicating that neither they nor the people of this area, want this area to he used as Canada's first and only permanent nuclear waste dump. We really are not interested in becoming the dumping ground of Canada's and possibly foreign nuclear garbage. You must start to wonder how sensitive Eldorado is to the wishes of our local government and if they are so callous now, what will happen 100 or 2,000 years into the future when problems develop and the local government needs action from Eldorado? Will they meet with the same indifference and lack of concern then? The citizens of the area have spent hours mid thousands of dollars protecting your area from the scapagc of nuclear waste and arsenic into Lake Ontario. They have stated repeatedly that they do not want Eldorado in Port Granby, do not want to take the nuclear garbage from other towns or countries and want to live in peace and harmony with their neighbors and the rural way of life, All they want is a normal, quiet life without constant harassment and health worries, This was made very clear during the hearings of 1978 and has been the consistent view of the citizens of this area, Any other industry would have gotten this message loud and demand demand would have used its resources to solve its present and past problems, not create new future problems, It makes you wonder about the logic involved in making decisions at Eldorado. Could any other company operate or survive with such disregard for common sense? Perhaps a new demand from you, the reader, through a letter sent to Mr. Trudeau with a carbon copy to Mr. Lawrence explaining why you don't want our area to become a permanent nuclear dump, during this election year, may serve to bring some sanity, sense and logic into this incredible proposal by Eldorado to make Port Granby a nuclear dump for ever; or clip this letter along with your edorsation and send it to the Prime Minister. E.J. Veldhuis, Port Granby Resident Calling All World War I Veterans A special celebration week within the 50th Anniversary Year of the Canadian Corps Association, Association, is being held from Monday, April 30th to Sunday, May 6th, 1984, in Toronto. The Canadian Corps Association was founded in 1934 by Canadian veterans of the first great war, and has continued successfully successfully since that time. We are looking for these world war one Canadian veterans to celebrate this auspicious auspicious occasion. Please let us know where you arc. In your reply state your active service number, regiment and other service details, as well as your name in full, address including postal code, so we may contact you. Forward this information information to Mrs. Shirley Wood Ilccsakcr, Dominion Honourary Secretary, Canadian Corps Association, 201 Niagara Street, Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5V 1C9. Twist and shout. Move it all about. Fitness is in. Fatness is out. x_ panriapocnon nan*.