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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, January 5, 1988 -- 5 | Viewpoint by John B. McClelland B So, we have managed to get through yet another year, a year in which a milestone of sorts was reached by yours truly. ~ Yes, 1987, was the year of the Big 4-Oh. Looking back, it wasn't such a big deal that fine day in early June when the birthday rolled around. In fact, hitting 40 was a breeze for me. Turning 30 a decade previous was far more of an upsetting experience, mainly because I had spent my 20's convincing myself it was unwise to trust anyone over 30. Nope, 1987 and turning 40 was a piece of cake. And I was heartened by the fact that a lot of other people turned 40 in 1987 as well. Every week in the birthday column of this paper, there was at least one photo of somebody celebrating. And a lot of good people, too. In fact, I would go so far as to say that 1947 was a vintage year in which to be born. I feel pretty good about it knowing that I'm in such good company, Heck, those of us born in '47 survived the reckless 60's when we "came of age" so to speak, shouldered our way through the uncertain *70's when we had to face the reality that there was more to life than back-packing to the four corners of the globe, and have settled rather + comfortably into the "80's raising kids and struggling to keep the waist line under control. I don't like to gaze too far ahead down the road of life, but the next decade looks like it's going to be a breeze. Those are brave words, and possibly I'll be whistling a different tune that - fine day in June '97 when the half century birthday rolls around. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but at some point in the last few years, I gave up worrying about the calen- dar and the old time clock. The grey hair and the paunch are going to come anyway, why speed up the process by getting in a flap about it all. People say I've mellowed a lot in the last few years. They're right. I have. In my 20's, I was not unlike a lot of young men that age. I had a big chip on my shoulder and I dared people to try to knock it off. There were on- ly two shades to any issue, black and white, right and wrong, nothing in between. I tilted away at windmills of all sorts, thumbed my nose at convention and authori- ty and generally felt that my opinion of everything was right, invincible and infallible. I had to learn the hard way on many occasions that there are more than two sides to any issue. Don't misunderstand me. I haven't mellowed totally. I am still capable of getting worked up about an issue. But like a crafty old boxer I now tend to pick my spots for the 'best shot rather than just flail away at everything that moves. Being angry all the times takes a lot of energy. If I've learned one thing over the years it's best to con- serve energy for when you really need it. And besides, I've also learned there's nothing quite so foolish as a person of 40 trying to behave like an "angry young man" in his 20's. Fleck of grey, receding hairlines and a bit of a pot belly are not becoming to 'angry young men.' The image is contradictory. Of course, like most angry young men, I have found to my amazement that better results are often achiev- ed by quiet negotiation rather than beligerent confron- tation. It is more fruitful to work from within the system than it is to charge head-first into that system in the hopes that it will destruct on impact. If this kind of an attitude is mellowing, so be it. I prefer to think of it as gentle maturation, an evolu- tionary process in which priorities change and energies must be focussed into new and different channels. Heading into 1988, I still get a kick out of tilting away at those proverbial windmills, but the pleasure is more in the joust than it is in seeing a windmill topple. Fif- teen years ago I had the attitude that any windmill in my way was fair game for knocking down. And looking back, I now realize that more often than not, the wind- mill was still standing and I wound up with a major headache for the effort. | I long ago through away the New Year's crystal ball for predictions. However, I do have a bit of a "wish-list" of things that I would like to see in the coming year. I wish the Prime Minister will call a federal elec- tion to really find out what the people of the country think about his politics, most specifically the free trade issue. Opinion now is so sharply divided that an elec- tion is the only way to sort this one out. I wish that Premier David Peterson would come down to earth slightly. He got his huge majority, yet he's done precious little in the way of meaningful legislation. Whenever I see him on TV, he still looks so damn smug about things. I wish Port Perry and Scugog Township another banner year in new housing and development. As anyone who has lived here for any length of time, our community is undergoing a lot of change. Some, in- cluding myself, have questioned the rapid pace of the change, but on balance, I think the change has been a positive thing for Scugog. Personally, I like the dynamics that I see happening in Scugog. I hope it con- tinues. It is far better for a community like Scugog to be moving forward than it is to stagnate as a backwater. Just head north a couple of hundred miles and you'll see Ontario communities that have changed little since the 50's, and believe me, it looks pretty drab and bleak. Scugog is a community on the move, it's a place where things are happening, and even with all the changes we've experienced in the past few years, for my money it's still the best place anywhere to live, work and raise a family. (Turn to page 6) Former local artist returns Yesterday's NMemories 70 YEARS AGO Thursday, January 3, 1918 Mr. Allen Goode has commenced work on his new creamery. This will be a fine building when finished. ' Mr. John Stone was re-elected reeve for Reach Township by ac- clamation. Mr. Peter Hood will be reeve for Scugog. Mr. Samuel Jef- frey won the contest for reeve in Port Perry by one vote. Mr. and Mrs. Elgin Real and family, Winnipeg, were with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred McClintock, Prospect. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, January 1, 1943 Leading Aircraftsman Hughes Williamson, RCAF of Sonya, has arrived safely overseas. : - Gunner Merl Dowson, who is stationed at Debert, N.S., is spen- ding afew days leave in Port Perry. Josephine Kamn has taken over the duties of Dr. M. B. Dymond during his absence. Mr. Creighton Devitt was elected reeve for Cartwright. He won by 56 votes over Mr. Wilfred Bowles. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, January 1, 1953 The oldest citizen of Port Perry, Mrs. Susanna Moase was presented with a life-sized charcoal portrait by Mr. Archie Farmer on behalf of the Port Perry Star and the Cities Service Oil Company. Port Perry and district's new $150,000 32-bed hospital will be of- ficially opened on Wednesday, January 7, 1953. Mr. Harry Peel was acclaimed reeve for Port Perry. Councillors will be Mrs. Hugh Santer, Grant Tease, Dr. M. B. Dymond and A.L. McDermott. © Mr. Ivan Kerry, a well-known Port Perry poultryman won a special award for his salesmanship efforts as a representative of Toronto Elevators in the new Maritime territory. 4 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, January 4, 1968 , Local skating stars, Anna Forder and Richard Stephens will leave by plane Monday, January 8, 1968, for Vancouver, where they will compete for top honours in the Senior Pairs Championship from Jan. 9th to Jan. 14th. David Porter, also a well-known Port Perry skater and his part- ner, Miss Janet D'Altroi of Barrie, also leave for Vancouver where they will be competing in the Novice Canadian Dance Pairs. At a council meeting at Scugog Municipal Hall, Mrs. Retta Har- dy was presented with appreciation gifts by Reeve Victor Aldred. Mrs. Hardy recently retired as caretaker of the Hall after 20 years of service. (Turn to page 8) The first display of 1988 at Scugog Memorial Library, will be "Ciiltural Crossings" - woven form by Wendy E. Bateman. The exhibition runs from January 9-29. Wendy E. Bateman was born in Toronto. For over forty years, Wen- dy resided in Port Perry. Several years ago, Wendy relocated her studio to Bluehawk Lake, located near Haliburton. 'Wendy's introduction to weaving literally came about by accident. While convalescing from a snowmobile mishap, a friend gave her some yarn and instructional manuals. This newfound hobby dramatically altered Wendy's life. -Weaving offered her a familiar means to channel her artistic energies and a voice to express and . share her worldview. Cultural Crossings is Wendy's creative spirit, reaching out to em- brace and link all people of all cultures. Wendy will be present at the Library from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 9 and there will be a dedication of the teepee at 2 p.m. We invite you to come to the Library and enjoy this impressive ceremony. R. Price, M.D. A Eix, M.D. a J. Stewart, M.D. G. Silins, M.D. T. Millar, M.D. G. Jones, M.D. 985-9718 985-9738 985-8425 MEDICAL ASSOCIATES OF PORT PERRY are pleased to announce the relocation of their MEDICAL PRACTICE MONDAY, -- effective -- JANUARY 11th, 1988 You will now be able to reach your doctor's receptionist directly by dialing individual area numbers as follows: - NOTE TELEPHONE NUMBERS - W. Cohoon, M.D. R. Allin, M.D. P Puckiin. Mo. 985-9735 M. Krempowich, ~~ 985-9758 985-8422 } a a AO a aa oC a a IN nig