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The Acton Free Wednesday February i CtMTtkMiU Wo ttNTIWJWl IT II Smiley All winter Ive been laughing Not wildly or out loud so that some people could do what theyve wanted to or years have me quietly put away No its Just been a steady stream of assorted chuckles snickers and Utters with an occasional giggle erupting when it poured rain around here in January I was laughing for the first time In about tour winters at the and Winter after winter I have sat glowering inwardly as the snowmobllers tried to out- shout other in their boisterous boyish manner each trying to tell a taller tale than the other about how he Jumped the creek or went up a slope with no hands or some such rot Winter after winter Ive tried to keep the sour look off my face as the ski hounds burble their in talk about how many runs they made chortle with glee every time there was a fresh fall of snow and brag about their brand new Schetssmaken eighty dollar ski boots For about two months the winter of 1971- 71 was known as Revenge There was a little snow In December but it was almost a green Christmas There wasnt a snowbank worthy of skidding into on New Years Eve And the fine weather continued for weeks lots of rain high temperatures and virtually no snow Let their snowmobiles sit there and rust I whispered barely able to restrain a guffaw boots remain unscuffed I muttered scarce able to hold back a peal of laughter Its not that I have anything personal against these midwinter bores Some of my best friends arc though I wouldnt want my daughter to marry one And 1 know some perfectly sensible people who think there Is something inef fably enjoyable in sliding down a hill on a inflated barrel staves The genuine skier thinks nothing of spending ten or fif teen dollars on a Sundays skiing even if he has to cut his church to the bone And its not Jealousy or spite Just because I have a ropy knee that would put meon crutches for two months if I had a fall is no reason to envy those who swoop down the hill like a bird Same with I have a slight handicap there too I can fly a plane and drive a car if there are good mechanics around But when it comes to small motors which stop running all can do is stand there and from one foot to the other Its embarrassing but Im being frank Its all very well to talk about carburetors and pistons and fuel lines if you know what they are where they are and what to do if they arent working COLES SLAW last week we left you Just after the Sunward docked in the harbor at Nassau in the Bahamas a berth she snared with hundreds of other Including shrimp boats sailing craft from the other islands and a couple of other passenger liners one on a world cruise from South Africa We no sooner had tied to the dock when some teenage boys clad in bathing trunks appeared on board offering to jump the SO or feet from deck into the shimmering water for an offer which was later lowered to a quarter They took up a collection popped the coins and bills into their mouths and standing atop the rail Into the harbor water Typical tourists we stood with mouths open and threw them more shekels over the side which they promptly dived for at the harbor bottom which could be seen easily in the crystal clear water We were some or the first off the ship touring Nassau on foot a prodigious ac complishment which we never completed because of time and distance and also because funds were getting low This meant popping into the city banks which turned out to be nearly all Canadian and offering to identify ourselves the managers would allow us some money Charlie had no problems He came equipped with a well known card which produces almost instant money But the only collateral I had with me were my true blue Canadian eyes which turned out to be green This cut much ice with the manager at the Nassau Bank of Montreal until I produced press credentials Then he decided to take a chance on my honesty and the fact I had my wife In tow Later he disclosed he came from Kitchener and knew about Acton Presto one name on a pad and had enough money to work our way home without doing dishes This left me with a new respect for banks which I have since passed on to the local branch manager by arranging another loan as soon as arrived home Nassau I liked the policemen directing traffic under an umbrella in the middle of the street gracefully waving white gloved hands in flowing signals to the left bearing traffic Just as in the British Isles traffic in the Bahamas stays on the left when roads are wide enough In many instances there is only enough room for one car and the problem doesnt exist Our wives liked the straw market which catered almost specifically to tourists but we found shopping expensive Almost items in Nassau come from somewhere else Shipping charges made inflated prices To make sure saw most of the island we hired a taxi limousine and toured the and island for two hours while driver Percy Moss charmed us with stories about the city He showed us the prune ministers modest bungalow where a sentry stood outside with the children the governor generals regal residence where the Queens representative lives the suburbs and some of the beaches where the real people of the islands live Children were going home from school in bright uniforms which identify schools and occasionally we saw ladies walking along with parcels on their heads in Caribbean style The people of the island are religious and Mr Moss assured us the mainly black Premier does some shuffling Premier William Davis following the example of his federal counterpart shuffled his cabinet lust week producing some surprises Probably the most surprising appointment was disappointment moving popular George Kerr from his post as Minister of the Environment to take over the Colleges and Universities portfolio We dont know whether Mr Kerr took the new post willingly or with reluctance but he has a solid reputation as the provinces pollution policeman Now the experience will go to nought In his place we have James who was moved from Public Works who in turn will be replaced by capable Jim Snow who previously was a minister without I figure Im lucky if I get the lawnmower started once out of three times without summoning help Thus the only picture I can conjure with me and a snowmobile in it is a nightmare the pair of us out in the woods ten miles from nowhere with the carburetors seized up or burned out or whatever it is they do No I dont hate the people or the sports I just hate snow with a deep and bitter loathing which must have some psychological explanation Did I wet my pants as a small child while playing in the snow Did my parents sick of my eternal wailing throw me into a snowbank and hastily retrieve me I dont know the answer But I do know that Smileys Revenge has turned into Smileys Folly As I write I cant see the house across the street Its snowing seagulls horizontally with a fortymile wind to sixty or seventy The skiers are smirking the mobilcrs are laughing out loud And Im crying deep inside I knew It was a dream But dream we must or we are nothing Some winter Well never mind population was proud of their heritage and determined to make good when they finally won their independence from Britain A trip to Nassau Isnt complete without a visit to the Casino where slot machines and gaming tables compete with a gigantic seminude stage show and bar for the tourist dollar The casino has lush knee deep carpet hushing the sound of silver dollars and other coins disappearing into the jowls of the one armed bandits Miniskirted girls pull small wagons loaded with bags of silver dollars around the floor to the astonishment of tourists and blase acceptance by international gamblers crowded around roulette and other tables The stage show is much like the mammoth extravaganza seen at the Radio City Music Hall in New York except the girls have less on if you can believe it Some obviously belonged to Womens Lib since they had no covering where women usually wear bras This curious display of nudity was entirely unlike the actions of the ordinary people of the island who dress very modestly and well even In the hottest hours of the day We often remarked on the modest dress of girls and ladies through the southern United States and this was also true of Nassau Those who showed lots of flesh usually turned out to tourists The native Nassauans saved their brief attire for the beaches a portfolio The Globe and Mail wonders whether Mr Davis recognizing some unsuspected qualities in Mr Auld moved Mr Kerr over to Colleges and Universities to untangle the mess there with his adroit lance These are answers of course which only Mr Davis can supply The rumors are more juicy We are told Mr Kerr could not get along with Bert Lawrence one of Mr Davis new super ministers who will set policy for the government We have also been told that Mr Kerr was too popular in his Environment post that Mr Davis could brook no challenge to his image us Tory leader Perhaps Mr Kerr was transferred Editorial notes The Trail Riders bulletin Hoof Prints contained the following in the last issue A farmer bought a new car after spending much time pricing them A few days later the dealer who sold the car appeared at the farm to buy a cow The farmer wrote out and handed this list to the dealer Basic cow twotone exterior extra stomach produce storage compartment dispensers at genuine cowhide upholstery 125 automatic swatter dual horns 15 Total plus tux and delivery 595 Sometimes a person has to put things off until tomorrow to get done today what he has put off from yesterday Ever think of how stress placed on a word may completely change its meaning Consider the simple sentence never said he stole money Read it aloud and emphasize he words in capitals I never said he stole money I NEVER said he stole money I never SAID he stole money I never said HE stole money 1 never said he STOLE money I never said he stole MONEY Mayor Bill Smith of Georgetown thinks environmental factors outweigh benefits any airport might create In his area and plumps for the area at the junction of Highways 8 and as the site for the new jetporL His sentiments are shared by East Jim Snow Dropping the Lords Prayer from county council meetings is another sign of the secularization of community affairs In lieu of the councillors praying for themselves we would suggest that everyone now pray for them The superintendent and work staff of the town deserve a special word of praise for their work cleaning the streets during the ThursdayFriday snowfall and ensuing blow Their constant vigilance kept traffic moving The business section was completely cleaned when stores opened Friday morning despite blustery winds that filled in almost as fast as drifts were cleared to the Colleges and Universities post because of the experience he chalked up in the fight to preserve the environment The Wright CommLssion report on postsecondary education in the province will likely require careful measured thinking and public statements George Kerr has never been one to issue statements without doing a lot of careful research and thinking As one of Mr Kerrs constituents wed like to think his presence is needed more in the new portfolio than in the Department of the Environment however we doubt it and look for other reasons for the shuffle Maybe it is clearly a case of old faces in new places as Opposition Leader Robert Nixon claims Take time for these Take time for things 1 Take time to Work it is the price of success 2 Take time to Think it is the source of power 3 Take time to Play it is the secret of youth Take time to Read it is the foundation of knowledge 5 Take time to WorshipIt is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes Take time to Help and Enjoy Friends it is the source of happiness 7 Take time to Love it is the one sacrament of life Take time to Dream it hitches the soul to the stars Take time to Laugh it is the singing that helps with lifes loads Take time to Plan it is the secret of being able to have time to take time for the first nine things 20 years ago Token from the issue at the Free Press Thursday February 14 Knox church was filled to capacity when organizations children and citizens assembled in tribute to the late King George VI It was an appropriate and very impressive service arranged by the Ministerial Association Mayor stated the purpose of the gathering paid tribute to our late sovereign Ministers taking part were Rev Arm strong Pastor Rev A and Venerable Archdeuton Mackintosh Venerable Archdeacon Mackintosh gave the address and said it was the fourth service for a ruling monarch In which he taken part for Queen Victoria Edward George and George VI Reeve read a resolution of sympathy anil loyalty of the people of Acton which was forwarded by wire to Her Majesty Elizabeth Mr A Hansen presided at the organ and the choir was composed of members of Acton churches Places of business and the town office were closed for two hours and industries stopped for a brief silence Schools were closed all day Wm Mattocks Legion president was in charge of the parade to the church Sybil Bennett was chosen Progressive Conservative candidate for at a con vention Milton town hall Singing of the national on them now sounds strange Bob broke a bone in his ankle playing hockey Mrs Hazel Irishman broke her wrist in a fall down stairs 50 years acfo Taken from the issue of be Free Press Thursday February 9 1922 It is a long time since anything has stirred up the people of Nassagaweya so much as the report of the sale by boot leggers of whisky at the dance at on the sixth of January the presence of intoxicated persons there and the sub sequent trial It was impossible to secure witnesses who would help the authorities dear up the disgraceful matter and cases were dismissed However the sentiment of the right- thin king people of Nassagaweya is with the authorities in their efforts to clean up the drink traffic in this township St parish hall was the scene of a memorable gathering on Monday night when a Fathers and Sons supper was held rector emphasized strongly the need of the attendance and support of the men and his remarks on the prevailing conditions in the parish and what they might be If all members attended and supported the church were received with profound interest Mr Baugh says the future of St is very bright indeed The programme included toast to Our King by Matt Tyler responded to by Mr our church proposed by J responded to Venerable Archdeacon Macintosh Our Parish Fred and the rector Brotherhood of St Andrew by Clifford by Fred Ray and Mr McCleary Dance in the town hall tonight after the ice carnival Proceeds toward new floor in town hall Music by Masons Orchestra The pupils who stood the highest I aura Murray John Gibbons Annie Dunn Stanley John Mann Stewart Ijisby Max THE ACTON FREE PRESS PHONE Business and Editorial Office Tyler Marjone Switier Hose Waterhousc Isabel Ivy Holmes Hazel Cose Fred Waterhousc Mildred Audrey Gervais Isabel Smith Helen Marjory Garden Charles Holmes Winnie Brewer Adabcl Brown Frank Winter Calhteen Cook Jack Savage Boss Hunter Hazel Gordon Hansen Alex Macintosh Doris Ho Ho way 75 years ago Taken from the issue of the Free Pren Thursday February 1897 A couple of our esteemed young people Mr George Agnew and Miss- Jessie went quietly to Guelph last Thursday evening and were united In the bonds of wedlock The bride was attended by Miss Nellie and the groom was supported by Mr Murray McDonald The happy young couple will take up residence in the cottage on Willow St next to the town hall where they will receive their numerous friends With the first frost last fall Miss Lottie the 14yearold daughter of Mr Thomas met with an accident while at play by which her left leg was fractured She has been confined to bed almost continuously until last week when she was sufficiently recovered to get about Last Wednesday she went sleigh riding and in the frolic one of her girl friends fell against her and the limb was again frac tured She surely Is the child of misfortune this being the third fracture within a year or so The nursing entailed Is a severe strain upon the mother and other members of the family The visit last week of the four brothers all of whom are successful photo artists to their boyhoods home recalls the fact that the studio here has been very prolific in turning out artists who are a credit to the profession The studio was established in 1IP3 by Mr J G Hill now proprietor of a profitable business In Toledo Ohio Mr the present owner received his inspiration here The list of graduates listed proves verily the Canadian country boys with their general and thorough country tuition and wholesome ideas of honest service invariably go to the top in the cities to which tbey migrate The anniversary teameeting In the cod- gregabonal church on Swacknamers was an unqualified success The sumptuous tea attested to the culinary of the ladies of Churchill Section