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The Acton Free Press Wednesday 5 NOVEL WAY TO TAKE THE FAMILY skating at the community centre is employed by Mr and Mrs Vic Morris Elizabeth Drive The Morris family stow their skates in the canoe and paddle across the northern arm In the past few weeks Canada has gone through an emotional catharsis which may yet despite the bitter medicine which brought it about turn a psychotic nation into a strong and healthy one Our emotions have run the gamut of duck despair and shame to a deep anger and determination There Is something of the feeling of 1939 in the air a feeling that wild beasts when they are infected by a type of rabies must be destroyed Canadians at all levels have realized that Is rather silly to preach either Christian brotherhood tr democracy to a mad dog What we are going through is something that never has happened in this nation before There have been many crises in the growth of our nation We had our Plains of Abraham and our War of But these were fought by soldiers We had our rebellions In Upper and Lower Canada Both served a purpose but opera If compared to whats not mistaken the happening today has murdered more men than were killed in William Lyon Mackenzies attack on Toronto In 1837 We had the Riel Rebellion a tragic farce for a tragic people led by a tragic hero without a real hope of knocking over the establishment But none of them came close to the senseless violence the vicious amoral destmctlveness that we have experienced In this autumn of 1970 The comparison that comes closest perhaps is that deadly period in Algeria a few years ago when the French withdrew Algerians and Arab Algerians killed each other with a callous Impersonality that shocked the civilized world That was not war It was assassination People were blown up at lunch in a restaurant or attending the theatre Others were shot down In the streets for no reason except that they were on the other side Pray that this never happens in Canada But It could unless the nation unites to smother the blaze and deal firmly and finally with those who would throw oil on it I dont want to sound like a Cassandra with hindsight I dont think it can happen in Canada But It will take courage and calm to prevent id Pepper of Fairy Lake Grass along the banks In this area planted by the Board of Parks Management has changed the appearance of the area as it grows lushly aided by abundant fall rain Staff Photo How did it happen It is obvious that the government and certain police forces were caught with their pants down They were warned by the press and by the actions of the L itself that this was more than a little trouble in Quebec They must have known that this was a body of warped men and women dedicated to the destruction of Canada There was ample evidence of the violence perpetrated by similar groups of fanatfes around the world It demanded swift and drastic measures Where were they Then when the horse Is gone the barn door Is locked The War Emergencies Act is imposed While a majority of Canadians in my opinion would support the government on this point in the minds of many It has raised a fear an uneasiness that is not dispelled by government platitudes This move was like declaring open season on anybody the police might suspect or even dislike Friends of mine who have lived in police states in Europe are par tlcularly dismayed by it Three police cruisers drew up at the home of a widow with three teenage kids on the Saturday morning the Act was Imposed Without a warrant they searched the house for drugs even examining all her plants to see whether she was growing pot They found nothing They took one of the boys to the police station and questioned him for three hours She was distraught Trying times ahead Yes But chins up chaps both of them You can make an omelet without breaking eggs The rats will scurry back to their holes And lets hope nobody in power will draw to an Inside straight Towing the surprised clerk along behind him he pointed to the headlights of a car and said triumphantly There that the It is disconcerting when a fellow waiting for his wife in a department store Is mistaken for a clerk with boundless knowledge of the merchandise Happened to me twice recently as I stood patiently waiting arms folded across my chest in a gesture of resignation could see one shopper shaking her head as she lifted up one of those sheer thangamajigs women wear next to their skin Then she held it up to the light for closer examination which concluded with an exclamation of disgust Spying me observing the whole tran with an aloof air the lady came over and said Is this all youve got out here on the counter I stammered some kind of reply like you U have to see the clerk or something like that reddened folded my arms and resumed the aloof stance which I hoped the lady would interpret as Go away I ve got more serious problems on my mind She gave me a look which would have withered John Pierre Trudeau and the FIX all in one bundle And went looking elsewhere for Information Meanwhile I sidled up an aisle beating a hasty exit A simple case of mistaken identity youll say no doubt And that was ray estimate of the situation too So it was with little trepidation that I next resumed my waiting in the furniture department adopting the same aloof look to frighten salesmen and customers alike I was enjoying moderate success until I stood next to the Oriental rugs At this point a man and wife inspecting the merchandise stopped fingered a rug on top of the pile dug deeper and deeper until the weight of the rugs stopped further examination They spied me Before I could utter a word the lady asked if I would mind moving the rugs on top so they could see what was underneath I looked at the lady then at the rugs back at the lady Then I muttered something either to her or me and fled Coward I guess I was But when it comes to handling the merchandise I really get rattled It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her to move them herself but my yellow streak overcame that brief flash of valour I certainly haven t got the kind of nerve that a certain fellow I know can exhibit under fire at a lingerie counter In the days before Women Lib was on everyone s tongue this erudite gentleman used to buy his wife clothes both out of a sense of duty and an obligation to his And on this particular occasion his better half bad him to purchase a brassiere a chore which would have generated a cry of horror for most husbands a generation ago But for this old craft sman it was merely another facet to his husbandly duties He went downtown striding fearlessly to the lingerie counter Without blinking an eye be asked for a brassiere The clerk unmarried sensitive and feigning disinterest asked nonchalantly What size That one stumped him He looked all over the store for something which would help him identify size without success He was getting desperate when his eyes lit on something outside THE ACTON FREE PRESS PHONE Ed tor at Offe Poppies still grow Thin sunlight filtered through skies which contained a hint of snow A bugler blew the Last Post as the flag was lowered from atop the steel pole Silent rows of men and women stood In rows before the cenotaph with Its rows of names The buglers last note sounded simultaneously with the striking of 11 on the town clock A whistle blew And the silence was broken again by a plane which flew overhead a momentary distraction which drew a few eyes heaven wards As the silence became almost oppressive the sharp clear notes of the bugle sounded again in a more joyful theme Reveille The bright red of the flag caught the breeze as It fluttered back up the staff Bowed heads straightened The sparse congregation relaxed the formal part of the ceremony ended The band struck up a hymn They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn After the going down of the sun and In the morning We will remember them This scene could be duplicated In many communities across Canada as the dead of two wars are remembered by the few As memory of wars fade the sacrifice of many lives remains only with the comrades of those who fell and those closest to them And yet all the good things we have In life are enoyed because these men went out and died on battlefields In countries torn by conflict They spilled blood for a cause which some ridicule now as they enjoy the benefits of freedom wrested for them from tyrants and dictators obsessed with war The names of those who died are chiselled In stone on monuments across the width and breadth of Canada Let us not fall them as memories dim Popples still grow In Flanders fields Two well deserved honors It must be something of a record when not one but two Actontans travel to Ottawa to receive awards from the Governor General for service to use the well known phrase above and beyond the call of duty This happened last week when Mrs George and Steven both were guests at government house to receive en different awards Mrs Hargraves elevation to the rank of Serving Sister was a well deserved tribute to many years of faithful service to the Order of St John The brigades work perhaps because It Is done with such quiet efficiency never receives the appreciation that Is its due Steven a 13 year old Scout has been showered with honors this year for his deed in rescuing a young girl from drowning in Fairy Lake at con siderable risk to himself Stevewas made Citizen of the Year the youngest ever to don the mantle as the Chamber of Commerce paid tribute As a result of strong recom mendations made by district scouters Steve also received the Silver Cross award from the head scout In Canada the governor general District Commissioner Norman Herbert pointed out that these awards are not given lightly They are considered very carefully investigated and then a decision is made on what degree of recognition the deed deserves Steve was recommended for the Sliver Cross one of the highest awards In Scouting an Indication of the Impression on those who sift through hundreds of deeds each year to recommend awards Mrs Hargraves knowledge of St John work has made her a very able teacher in first aid and Its attendant courses Many from the town and district have a much better knowledge of the fundamentals of aid as a result of taking courses under this willing and competent Serving Sister The Free Press oins with the many others who have extended congratulations to these two Ac Their honors reflect well on a community which can not only produce one but two such people In one year Driver training worthwhile Evidence that students who complete an approved driver training course are better drivers comes from the Canadian Un derwrlters Association They have decided to give further reductions In Insurance premiums to drivers under the age of who have successfully completed a course similar to the one for students at the high school here In addition to the present per cent discount to graduates from such courses as high school driver education the young drivers will be lumped a Driving Record category In relation to Third Party Liability and Collision coverage This means the beginning driver will be given credit for one year of accident free driving giving him or her an additional reduction of 13 per cent in premiums for a total of per cent Young drivers accident free for one and two years will be jumped to the two and three year accident free categories for an additional saving of eight and 13 percent respectively The three year category is the lowest rated sec lion If the drivers do get into an accident they will be reverted to the highest premium zero category but still receive their 15 per cent discount Part of the reason for the reduction in rates Is to stimulate young drivers particularly beginners Into taking advantage of approved driver training programs but It Is also concrete evidence the Insurance companies realize the advantages both to them and driver which accrues from a person who graduates from a course Increasing congestion on roads and the need for a driver to be able to negotiate traffic in a capable and sane manner makes It almost imperative for the young to take a course if they are to avoid the sins of their elders We would urge It be mandatory It Is easy for an experienced driveV to pick out those who have taken a recognized course and follows the Instructions They are better drivers and roads are much safer as a result We would urge anyone nlng to drive to take advantage of recognized driving courses Perhaps it would be a worthwhile thought for some of us who think our sieves immune to accidents to consider It also Now this story could be apocryphal but this unembarrassed shopper said the un married clerk turned tail and fled without a word It was also observed that several passersby hurried by choking chortles The point of the story is that even the most experienced clerk can be faced with a situation where flight is the natural tion A fella feel so bad when he knows others have faced the similar situations and took to their heels I m Just glad I t have to trade places with the young lady 20 Years Ago Taken from the issue of the Free Press Thursday November 2 Acton lost one of its best public men last week when Charles W Wilson passed away suddenly at his home on Main St Mr Wilson had suffered a severe illness over a year ago but was apparently recovering and had resumed his work as superintendent of Acton Hydro No public servant took a keener or more active interest In his work The annual Halloween party was held in the arena under the auspices of the Men Charlie Klrkness was master of ceremonies The evening began with a parade from the town hall to the arena behind the band Winners in various classes were pre school Sandra Hargrave as a monkey on a horse Johnny Kentner Kindergarten Mary Wiles as a monkey Peter Wolfe as an organ grinder public school Sandra Cunningham Pauline Marks Sally Thompson Rosemary and Joan Brooks Michael Hurst Brian Elizabeth Jean high school Joyce Palmer Peggy Oakes Christine Ron Coleman Baxter Bob Armstrong Three films were shown by Ted Hansen A cake eating contest was directed by Cliff Sutton Peter Hurst and Bob Armstrong were the winners At the conclusion the Men handed out bags of candy to over 300 Mayor Amos Mason offered a turkey dinner to council if they could end a session before II Most last well after midnight It was Impossible but they had the turkey dinner anyway Ernest West was elected president of the InterChurch Young People Other officers are Doug Davidson Rod Force Shirley Thompson and Bill Bell 50 Years Ago Taken from the issue of the Free Press Thursday November The meeting of Institute will take the form of an oldfashioned paring bee Each person attending Is to take a basket of apples and a darning needle Dr J E Nelson of Guelph has decided to open a medical practice in Acton and comes here with very flattering reconimendattons He has leased a portion of the brick residence of Mr William Johnstone The doctor has the advantage of a good heritage His father until his lamented death was one of Guelphs leading businessmen His mother is a native of Acton daughter of Edward Four or five Inches of snow f this week Rev Father Goodrows parish work last Sunday gave him a trying days experience After morning service at St Josephs he motored to for the service there At the dose be went to HUIsourg to visit a sick parishioner When be reached Acton In the evening he had travelled miles through very heavy roads and it was then too late to proceed to Georget for Ms evening service at Holy Cross church The members of the Section of Acton Athletic Association had their final meeting for the season Robertson spoke of the splendid progress the players mads during the season Prices were awarded to Alex John Mellon Robertson John Lelshman James Hackle John Gibbons Charles McCauley James Mc- Frank Kennedy Robert Years Ago Taken from the Issue of the Free Press Thursday October Ground was broken last Friday for the first of the new fire engine supply tanks at the town hall The Fire Protection Com mittee has made a very favorable contract with Mr Forbes mason for stone tanks instead of pine as at first proposed The of monuments now to be seen in Fairview cemetery is remarkable con sidering that it Is a comparatively new cemetery The majority of these have been erected by Mr J HamlltonGuctphfroro whose yards a fine new one was placed last week over the graves of Mr and Mrs John Speight It is a beautiful red Swedish granite of new design cylindrical in form with draped urn and octagonal base and stands about 12 feet high The workmanship Is perfect throughout Hon Mr and party passed through here Tuesday afternoon on the train headed for Gait A skirt that is divided against Itself cannot stand as a wag remarked when a woman took a fall ought to take a lesson front the action of the progressive village of Acton In purchasing a steam Ore engine has no power except mens muscle to raise the water pressure Nassagaweyas annual exhibition was favored with good weather Increase En the number of entries this year was en couraging therebeing Everyone had an enjoyable day and there was a concert in the hall In the evening