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EDITORIAL COMMENT Farewell to Old, Welcome the New As the fateful first of the year approaches, those who have been connected with local municipal councils and school boards must be feeling somewhat apprehensive about the changes that are about to take place. The United Counties council with headquarters in Cobourg has held its last official meeting, as have most of the municipal councils throughout the area who will be disbanded at the end of the year. Members of the Northumberland-Durham County Board of Education who will be departing to take posts with other boards have said their fond fare- wells and will be wondering how things will go in their new jurisdictions. All in all, a major shift in responsibilities is taking place and it will be some time before citizens become adjusted to the new set up in so many fields of local government and decide whether the changes have brought improve- ments or have only removed the governing bodies away from close Im lm lm lm contact with their constituents. At this time, accolades should be tendered to those who over the years have contributed their time and talents to serving on councils, boards and commissions. The vast majority of them have made great personal sacrifices in energy and time while endeavoring to make their communities better places in which to hve and work. No doubt they have enjoyed the work and have felt a sense of satisfaction in doing a job that needed to be done. They richly deserve the thanks of their communities but probably won't get it because so many of us take these things for granted. Now there's a new era in the offing, with larger problems con- fronting those who will carry on at region and in the enlarged municipal councils. We wish them well in their deliberations as we at the same time say farewell and thanks to those who will be departing to reflect on their achievements. Merry Christmas with Fingers Crossed This is the time of year when joy them to obtain ahi out co-operation and happiness is supposed to be and understanding from the popu- uppermost in everybody's mind, lace because there is no patriotic when that glorious event the Birth of feeling apparent such as accompan- Christ is celebrated, when churches ies most wars. Nobody's attacking are filled to overflowing with us or our friends in other countries. worshippers and homes are stocked We can't biame anybody in particu- with food and gifts and families get lar other than the Arabs for what's together. It's a time when peace on happening, it's something that has earth and good will is the theme, crept up on us without much stressed over and over again in warning, other than from a few carols, other Christmas music, intehlectuals who have been teiiing sermons and even editorials. us for years that we're running out Somehow this year is different of natural resources. So, probabiy in many places in this old world. Our most of us won't alter our mode of squandering of natural resources in living until it is forced upon us by over abundant living is catching up government edict. Why should we with us, with shortages in so many when our leaders are hesitant in fields that it's almost certain there is telling us a crisis exists? going to be a big change in the living This is hardhy a joyful Ho Ho patterns and standards of every- editorial, in keeping wîth Santa body. We in Canada are among the Claus and his reindeer, but we feel it most fortunate, but in England, the is something for us to be giving Netherlands and even the United serious thought to in the days that lie States to a lesser extent, the ahead, not that we can do much situation is looking pretty grim with about it. But, maybe, when we no immediate sign of relief. So far celebrate the birth of the Prince of there hasn't been much suffering or Peace this year and are saying a genuine hunger, but unemployment prayer, we might put in a word for is beginning to take its toll as those in other countries who at the factories close because of ou and moment have much more reason chemical shortages and once that than we do to wonder what the future begins, the snowballing effect could holds for them and their chiidren lisastrous. who wihh be g Theéad part of the problem is tree next week. It's worth trying. that at the moment, no government hereor in any of the countries in dire C11RISTMAS EDUCATION straits appears to have foreseen 1 remember some years ago what was about to happen, so no I tried to teach Paul about Xmas. preparations were made to offset the Today it seems I hittie know shortages. They, along with every- How to survive ahi the fuss. body else, apparently were surpris- Anyway, I stressed 'the giving' ed to suddenly find themselves and Weakened and took him to the store their countries in a tragic predica- And wîth hîs eyes 'ghistening' ment. In the U.K. the government's He viwedtlesces g only solution to the problem was to He s it face me launch another austerity program He soe oit oeoe and goodness knows those folks are X I ould g all too familiar with those recurring Mas oning, events, they've had so many of Mai To ord them. In the United States, the government has been so wrapped up with trying to determine if the TODAY'S LAMENT President and his top aids are Look what they've done to my buck, thoroughly crooked that most other ma, occurrences have been overlooked Look what they've done to my bil, or sidestepped. Here, with a It's the same old buck ail tattered minority government, those in and tom power apparently have been so busy Its buying power is eut and shorn, keeping themselves in office that Look what they've done to my buck. they didn't see what was happening and made no effort to overcome it. Look what they've done to my brave The Netherlands was hard hit by the dollar bil, oil boycott instituted by the Arabs to Look what they've done to its worth, make them pay for their support of Once it had pride and a right to hive, Israel and their government didn't But now it's strangied at birth. realize what could happen to that tiny country. Oh look what they've done to my Frankly, things don't look too buck ma, good so far as we can see in the year Look what they've done to my bil, ahead. We hope we're wrong and I can moan and groan in my old that governments in the hard hit armchair countries and in Canada will be able Biame everyone but I get nowhere, to meet the challenges that are here Look what they've done to my buck! now and could get worse before they Ruth Jennings, are better. But it wila be difficuut for Bethany, Ont. 0JNA Durham County's Great Family Journal Established 120 years ago in 1854 Also Incorporating C The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mail registration number 1561 ............ 'Q h I c.', Phone Produced every Wednesday by Phone 623-3303 THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 623-3303 62-66 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario LIC 3K9 JOHN M. JAMES GEO. P. MORRIS PATRICK GOULD DONALD BISHOP Editor Publisher Business Mgr. Sales Manager Plant Mgr. "Copyright and or property rights subsist in the image appearing on this proof Permission to reproduce in whole or n part and in any rorrm whatsoever particularly by photographic or offset process in a publication, must be obtained from the publisher and the printer Any unauthorized reproduction wil be subject to recourse in law" $8.00 a year - 6 months $4.50 Foreign - $10.00 a year strictly in advance AI t houph every precaut ion wli be taken b avoid error, The Canad an Statesman accepts advertising m ifs columins on the understanding thatf tw ilnot be jable for any error in fre adverfîsemenf published hereunder unless a proof of such advertisement is requested in wrifing by the'advertiser and returned to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by tie advertiser and with such error or corrections pliainly noted in writing thereon, and in that case if any error so noted is not corrected by The Canadian itatesman its iabity shall not exceed such a portion of tf-e enfire cost of such advertisemîent as the space ccupîed by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement J ilope you've got lots ot gooi tnîngs tor our friends and patrons. And please deliver this wish-Happy Holiday for Everyone! from the Editor Staff and Correspondents of Letter to the Editor marketing chains in Canada, without compensation, is twaddle of the first magni- tude. The Waffle policy, approved by majority vote, places this Independent Social Group in the particular category of the notorious Boyd gang - bare- faced "bank" corporation robbery. Does the Twaddle man put his conscience where his mouth is? In convention the Group proposed that the January (1974) minimum wage of $2.00 should be raised to $4.00 per hour. Twaddle says he's doing all this for the little guy. What he really means is that he'll be putting all the little men out of business, too: the small town grocer, the shoe repair man, the entrepreneur, the snack bar; the small business people who are the backbone of free enterprise in Canada. If Twaddle had the initiative to operate a small shop, he would soon learn how solvent he would be when forced to pay $4.00 per hour for help. For sheer asininity the Waffle program is a very flat, indigestible pancake. Foster M. Russell, Cobourg, Ontario. HOLIDAY SPOT CHECK The annual holiday-season spot check began throughout the province last week. Many centres will continue them through January 1. In Tor- onto, Metro police laid 97 charges during their first evening of spot checks. Fifty- seven of the motorists were given summonses for defec- tive headlights. Early dark- ness makes visibility vitally important, says the Ontario Safety League. Be safe, be seen! Check your lighting system and avoid trouble. The Ontario Safety League reminds drivers that, in a skid, steer in the direction the rear of the car is skidding. Don't over-correct. Don't brake. Be prepared for a second skid in the reverse direction when you come out of the first. With all the shortages and world crises in mind, the Ontario Safety League quotes a Wyoming newspaper: "Drive carefully. You can never tell when life might be worth living again." Ever notice how quickly the pedestrian seems to disappear into the darkness . . . even when wearing light-colored clothing? Pedestrians can in- crease their chances of being seen by hundreds of feet by wearing reflective tape. It can be a fashionable addition to a jacket, raincoat - even an umbrella. Your imagination is its only limitation. Be safe, be seen, says the Ontario Safety League. GET CASH TODAY FOR OLD APPLIANCES THROUGH STATESMAN CLASSIFIEDS PHONE 623-3303 December 10,1973. Sir: The news report of the Waffle Convention in the Monday Globe and Mail might have had a more apt caption, "The Twaddle Convention". Assumption of all oil, natur- al gas, coal and uranium companies, including produc- tion, refining, distribution and In the Dim and Distant Past 25 Years Ago 49 Years Ago Thursday, December 23, 1948 Thursday, December 25, 1924 Donald E. Gibson, B.S.A., Officers of the Bowmanville who bas farmed the Gibson Hockey Club for the wînter homestead, Lot 34, Con. 3, season are Pres. Dr. G. C. Clarke Township, since 1940, Bonnycastie, Vice-Pres. Dr. bas become a full partner in B. J. Hazlewood, Sec,-Treas. the long established firm of W. Artbur Edger, Manager Bowman and Rowe, insur- Intermediates J. A. Gunn, ance, real estate and invest- Manager Junior Bert ment specialists, Whitby. Mr. Bounsaîl. Gibson bought out the inter- The teacbing staff of Bow- ests of Fred T. Rowe and bas manvîlle Higb Scbool is as joined with Ed Bowman in the follows: Mr. W. J. Morrison. new firm of Bowman and B.A., Principal and Teacher of Gibson, effective Jan. 1, 1949. Science, Miss I. K. Smith, The highlight of the Kinder-BModeand rt.fMr. A. R. garten Class, of Mrs. Chas.Scott, B.At rofAth- Wight, at their Christmas ematics..BE. Ingh party, was the Christmas M .A., toldin hreepars .A.is, LI.B., teacher of Eng- story told in three parts. Modes and History. Charlotte Austin told the first Miss A. M. H. Brown, B.A., part, Kent Clayton the second teacberLower Scbool Sub- and Douglas James the third. jects History. Miss J. H. Trinity Evening Auxiliary MacDonald, B.A., teacher of elected the following officers: Classics and History. 1st Pres. Mrs. Clare Allin, Drink more Gien Rae T.B. Past Pres. Miss Helen Cryder- Tested milk in 1925 and you man, Pres. Mrs. S. James, lst will have a happy and healthy Vice, Mrs. H. Jeffery. New Year. The following Sunday School Miss Hilda Foley, Peterbor- pupils presented a Christmas ough Normal Scbool, at bore program in Trinity S.S. room witb ber parents at Maple on Tuesday. Recitation, Patsy Grove for Christmas. Ann Smith, Piano Duet Shirley Report of S.S. No. 21, Pollock and Hazel Webber, Darlington for December. Sr. Accordion Solo Dean Allin, IV Mabel Beech, Roy recitation Don Laird, Violin Tbompson, Harry Patience. Solo, Morley Richards, Piano Jr. IV - Harold Greer, Carlyle Duet Pat Bagnell and Marlene Ashton, Gordon Greer, Dom- McDonald, Cornet Duet by otby Smith, Sm. III - Kenneth Bob Martyn and Ivan Woolley. Graham, Annie Trewin, Louis Winners of poultry in the Ashton. Jr. 111 - Fred Beech Court Bowmanville, Canadian Rema Bradley, Bert Ashton, Order of Foresters Christmas Lloyd Thompson, Myrtle Cow- Draw were Mr. Shredling, Delbert Martin, Phyllis Tyrone; Rose Bate, Lloyd Srnith, Sr. Il - Arthur Trewin. Ellis, Art Etcher and Marion Bowmanville Pumple Colville. Guards L.O.L. No, 2384 elect- Nestleton W.A. and W.M.S. ed the following officers: W. met at the home of Mrs. Yeo, 1.P.M., F. H. Bounsaîl, Malcolm Emerson, Dec. 16. W.M.; A. Connell, D.M., T. The Scripture was read by Sellers, Rec. Sec.; J. Swindle, Miss Evelyn Campbell and Fin. Sec.; H. Hennings, Treas. readings were given by Mrs. A. Fitecher, ist Lecturer; T. A. Suggitt and Miss E. Hayes, 2nd Lectumer, T. And- Campbell. rews, Diaector of Cememonies. Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Dec. 19, 1973 Sugar and Spicel By Bill Smiley GHOSTS OF CHRISTMASES PAST When there are no kids around, Christmas loses a lot of its excitement. At least that's the way it seems around our house this year. We've always had a family Christmas, most often at the farm of the grandparents. Those were great old traditional festivities. We drove to the farm, left the car at the highway and staggered through the snow up the lane to the house, loaded with gifts. The kids, wrapped to the noses, were fairly hysterical by the time we entered the big, warm kitchen. There we were assailed by the enveloping scents of roasting turkey and pine needles, a wonderful combination. Then came the opening of presents, with everybody protesting, "Oh, you shouldn't have. . ." Except the kids. They would rip off the wrappings, scarcely glance at the contents and start looking under the tree for another package with their name on it. A lot of love and thought went into the gifts, and sometimes there were tears of pleasure. The women talked a blue streak and caromed off each other as they charged around the kitchen. The men sat around drooling. And the children were the centre of atten- tion, funny and delightful, and they loved it. Then came the great orgy at the table, with everyone from the littlest to Grandad tucking into the turkey and trimmings until their eyes were bulging. This was sort of the climax, it had its anti-climax: great stacks of dishes to be washed; distended bellies; exhausted kids. In its way, it was a pretty pagan celebration. But by evening, everything was cleared up, digestions would begin operating again, and there'd be carols and quiet talk and a general feeling of warmth and love and security. This was the culmination of several weeks of Christmas pag- eants and Christmas parties at the Legion Hall for the kids, and writing cards to old friends, and scrambling around for gifts, and putting up the thrice-blasted tree and pretending there weren't going to be a lot of presents this year. They were good times, and I miss them, but I don't know whether I could stand the pace any more. I was working about twelve hours a day, and there seemed to be a festivity or something every night. There were a couple of Christ- mases that are funny in retrospect, though at the time there was a marked lack of Christian spirit. One was the time we bought the television set for the grandparents. It was in the early days of TV, and we all chipped in to buy the set. None of us could afford one for ourselves, There was tremendous secrecy It was to be the surprise of the century. My brother-in-law and I dragged the great brute of a box up the lane on a toboggan and wrestled it into the farmhouse. It was to be opened under the tree. Kim was about three, and full of that wild excitement that invests kids at Christmas. We had barely deposited the big box in the house when she piped, "Hope you like the tee-bee, Granny." Some secret. Some surprise. And there was the Christmas we held at our place. The grandparents and the aunts and other assorted bodies were invited. My wife had spent two hours the night before scrubbing and waxing the kitchen floor. I had spent three hours preparing the turkey. We were going to show them that we could entertain in style. All was in readiness. The Old Battleaxe told me to take the turk out of the oven. I did, skidded on the wax, and roasting pan, turkey and all went flying through the air. Wall-to-wall grease. Turkey basted in floor-wax. It was one of the less-memorable moments in a happy marriage. And I remember Christmases a long time ago, in the Depression, when a child's one and only present might be a suit of long underwear, or a handknit sweater. Depressing, was the Depression. Of recent years, our kids have come straggling in from university, sometimes with a friend, for Christmas. And we've had music and good food, and fun. Last year we were alone. If I remember correctly, we dined on frozen meat pies. I had bought the usual two trees. I got the little one up. The big spruce was leaned in a corner, and I threw it out on Boxing Day. This year, we'll be alone again. But things are going to be different. Son Hugh won't be home. He's, off in deepest Quebec. But he's already had his present. Daughter, Kim won't be home, because I don't particularly want my grandchild born on a bus. So. We're thinking of closing up the joint and going to the city. My wife can supervise the layette. I can write cheques. We'Il stay in a hotel, where somebody else has to grapple with the tree. And, if things turn out just right, we might get the finest Christmas present we've ever received. A bouncing baby grandchild. Ili 111hILI, I 1/ )'/$OA)/MY </57//t/6 -5/W /"2 L, / A ZST71VA//6'7