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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, September 15, 1987 -- 5 Viewpoint by John B. McClelland | You can't help but admire Ernie Whitt. : In case you don't know the name, he's the number one catcher with the Toronto Blue Jays, embroiled as per usual this time of year in a do-or-die pennant race with the Tigers from Detroit. By a long shot, the toughest job in baseball is behind the plate. Crouched down, the catcher has to handle 90 mph fastballs, the breaking curve that bounces in front of home plate. He takes foul tips on the fingers, the arms, the legs, the groin. He has to throw fleet base run- [| ners out at second or third and block the plate when a A - 200 pounder tries to make it home. 3 In short, catchers earn their money in the big p - leagues. About this time in the season, every bone and joint in their bodies is aching. If the team is in a pen- | nant drive, they have to ignore the aches and pains, blank them from their minds. | A day off is like a gift from Heaven. So the Blue Jays had last Thursday off. And they needed the time to re-group after losing to the Brewers, plus get ready for a crucial series with the Yankees over the weekend. Where was Ernie Whitt last Thursday? Sleeping at home? Soaking his tired body in a whirlpool in the trainer's room at Exhibition Stadium? Nope, Ernie was out playing golf in Port Perry, len- ding his name and presence to the annual Dennis Ander- son tournament for Autistic children in- Durham Region DRE a i Jays catcher Buck Martinez and Maple Leaf penalty killing artist Greg Terrion were all over at Sunnybrae last Thursday taking part in this event. And they seemed to be having a pretty darn good time, signing autographs, talking and joking with the golfers. For my money, it takes a pretty special kind of athlete and human being, who on his one day off in many, would take the time to come to Port Perry for a charity golf event. No wonder he is one of the most popular of the Blue Jays with the fans and the media. I don't know what kind of a deal Ernie and Dennis Anderson have going, if they have one at all. It's none of my business if Ernie gets the use of a Dennis Ander- son car for a year or whatever. That's between them. The point is, Ernie Whitt makes a big league salary. He can well afford a new car every year. He was at the charity golf event because he wanted to be there. Heck, when he and Thornton went out to the 18th green for a "challenge putting competition," they were really hamming it up, and just about everyone there was slapping down some money on who would win. That money, by the way, was turned over to the charity, and both Ernie and Lou were smiling and laughing the whole time. I met Ernie a couple of years ago when he was out at Anderson's Chev-Olds in Port Perry making an ap- pearance, signing autographs, posing with a huge relaxed, casual, easy going, showing no signs (outward at least) of the pressure cooker. Same things last Thursday. Obviously, here is one guy who hasn't let fame and fortune as a major league bal! player go to his head. What a contrast to some of the arrogant, petulant, whining individuals who *'grace" the world of pro sports. Many of them wouldn't give you the time of day, let alone a day of their precious time to help a local charity. | As I watch the Blue Jays go down to the wire over the next three weeks, I'll be rooting just a trifle harder when Whitt or Thornton come to the plate. THAT ELECTION The election in Durham East went off without a hitch last Thursday, unlike some ridings in the province where all kinds of problems and snags popped up. But a few people in Seagrave were more than just upset at the fact there was no polling station in that com- munity. They were even more ticked off when they found out that neighbouring Victoria riding had a poll- ing station in Seagrave for the voters in Mariposa. The voters in Seagrave had to travel to Greenbank to cast their ballots. As far as I can determine, the campaign in Durham East was fought cleanly and above board. All three can- didates lost election signs to vandals, but the campaign was free of those nasty "dirty tricks." That's not surprising, considering the calibre of the three individuals seeking election in this riding. It's too bad there had to be losers. Marg Wilbur and Diane Lay a a 70 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 13, 1917 The teacher at Raglan School for the next term is Miss Lottie Kellington, Miss Low is the teacher for Prince Albert Public School and Miss Elliot for Seagrave. Mr. Clarence Vickery has been appointed assistant - Adjt. of the 208th Battalion. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Barrett are visiting friends in Manchester. MclIntyre's Millinery will open this week. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 10, 1942 Port Perry Public School opened with an enrolment of 180 pupils. Mr. Roy Cornish is principal. . Made to measure suits and over-coats $29.50. Paint Sale - half pint, assorted colours for 30 cents. Miss Dorothy Joblin, Scugog will teach school in Pickering. Mr. David Bently who has been working in Prince Edward County for the summer has returned to continue his school studies. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 12, 1957 Mr. Roy Ormiston, Brooklin and Orval Chambers, Wilfred, tied with 137 points each for the Premier Breeder of Holsteins at the Black and White Show on Port Perry Fair day. Don Popert and Irene Ptolemy, Port Perry, escaped injury when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a car driven by Sinclair Robertson. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, Sept. 14, 1967 Norman Anderson, an Elder and Treasurer of Burns Presyb- " terian Church turned the first sod on the new church site in Ash- burn at an impressive ceremony with Rev. Wm. Black officiating On Sunday 10. Jo-Anne Harris, Greenbank, has entered the Nightingale School of Nursing, Toronto. Farmers on Scugog Island are fighting a battle with thousands of Blackbirds that are infesting their corn fields. 10 YEARS AGO Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1977 Scugog Township council gave approval to a proposal for a three-tank fuel storage depot in the Reach Industrial Park. Hygrade Fuels in the proposed user. Building permits are way down in 1977 with only 250 permits being issued to date. In 1966 there were 454 building permits issued in 1966. | Donna Kerry and Sandra Bolton will be awarded their Canada Cords at a ceremony in the Epsom Church this Sunday, Septem. ber 18. and Ontario. Ernie, along with team-mate Lou Thorn- stream of kids for photos and so on. The Jays at that L ton, broadcaster Fergie Olver, broadcaster and former time were in the thick of a pennant race, yet Whitt was (Turn to page 6) =) : _ | MM r : emornries Fair president says thanks To The Editor: I would like to express an en- thusiastic '"Thank You' to the Directors and Assistant Directors of the Port Perry Agricultural Socie- ty, the media, Sponsors, exhibitors, and the community at large for their tremendous support of the 1987 Port Perry Fair. Many hours behind the scenes go into the presentation of the Annual Fair and many hundreds of dollars come from Port Perry and surroun- ding businesses and individuals to support the various prizes and at- tractions. The interests of the com- munity, which is displayed through attendance is essential and greatly appreciated. This years paid attendance was up over 1986 paid attendance by Graduation # 7 KAREN E. McKELVEY Daughter of Peggy and Kent McKelvey graduated in June from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Karen is doing post graduate studies in Computer Science with Control Data in Toronto. 3565. Many new attractions were presented this year, some of which will continue in the future years, others will be replaced by new at- tractions in 1988. Many thanks again! See you at the 1988 Port Perry Fair. Sincerely, Rod McKay, President, Port Perry, Agricultural Society. Editorial Comments (From page 4) Ontario has given David Peterson an overwhelming mandate. It will be interesting to see how he manages with this over the next four years. We all hope he will be more skillful than the last leader who was handed an enormous majority. In Durham East, we have no quibble with the election of Sam Cureatz, other than the fact that he may be a loné voice in the wilderness when it comes to securing Government plums for his riding. He has built his political career over the past decade on ten- ding to the "little issues" at the grass roots level. But, as one of just 16 Tories in the House, that may change as Mr. Cureatz no doubt will have to carry a heavy load as critic from the Conservative side. Having handed Mr. Peterson his big majority after a virtual "issue- free' election campaign, the people of Ontario are going to watch his performance with interest over the next few years. In his victory speech, he mentioned trust several times. Ontario has put a lot of it in his hands. He's earned it. Let's hope he keeps it. Letters to the Editor ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newpspaper Lo encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters col: umn helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous let- ter to the editor While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer. hid Clie Hn a