PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE FLETCHER JOHNSTON PRESS, STRATFORD, ONT. _ Vol. 22 STRATFORD, SEPT. |. 1944 No. 12 Stratford Business Places Improving Their Looks Summer months have brought a few commendable improvements to the business community of Stratford, and not a few of these have resulted in brighter appearing business places be- ing presented the public. A few cans of paint can make a wonderful change on any business street and those merchants of Strat- ford who have had the refreshing coats applied during recent months have done much.to improve the ap- pearance of their stores and the busi- ness section in general. There is much to be said about a can of paint. It is a business agent that pays large dividends. A hand- some, clean-appearing front is gener- ally the one which attracts the most customers. Strangers within the city seldom hesitate to walk into a store which has an inviting appearance. To paint is to build, up and those who have had the "face" of their store lifted this summer, gave much to the aa improvement of the commun- y- Householders, too, have had a hand in the improvement of the city. On nearly every street there have been homes painted. A good clean home usually can be taken as an indication of the class of person who rules the roost. Nowadays with everyone mak- ing more money, home-owners can make their contribution to the move- ment for a cleaner and brighter city. Theirs is but another step in the im- provement of the community which, it is hoped, will be welcoming home those who have been amidst the muck and dirt of war and to whom the sight of a fresh clean city will be a welcome sight. ENJOYED THEIR HOLIDAYS. Mr. and Mrs. Macqueen, Norman street, have returned home after spending a pleasant holiday at Bala, Ontario. Mr. Macqueen has held the position of physical director of the Stratford Y.M.C.A. for twenty years, and expects to continue Y.M.C.A. work for some time to come. Tribute Is Paid In Thousands of Dimes MONTREAL, Aug. 31.--Dimes, thou- sands of dimes, testified to the wide- spread popularity of R. C. Johnston, recently transferred to Toronto as gen- eral superintendent, Southern Ontario district, Canadian National Railways, when employees of the Montreal dis- trict gathered to say farewell to him. They gave him a gold watch and chain and a penknife, purchased out of dimes contributed by operating per- sonnel, workers in the running trades, roundhouse, yard, freight department and wharf. No one gave more than ten cents and there was enough money to buy the rail official's wife a hand- some handbag, a Royal Dalton figur- ine and a bouauet of 26 roses, one for each year served by Mr. Johnston with the railway at Montreal. The presen- tation took place in the Central Sta- tion office of A. J. Lomas, who suc- ceeded Mr. Johnston as general super- intendent of the Montreal district. Pad Cyclists, Colin Range, Jasper National Park, Alberta Cycling in Canada's national parks has increased in popularity owing largely to the shortage of automobile tires and gasoline. But cycling will always be an effective means of en- joying the scenery, the flower-scented atmosphere, and the wonders of na- ture for which these parks are justly famous. Cyclists can see and hear and feel the country as they ride Cycling For Health and Pleasure silently along the smooth-surfaced roads in a way that would not be pos- sible from the inside of a closed car. Not only Canadians but many visit- ors from the United States are using their bicycles for sight-seeing in the parks. Recently a party of ten mem- bers of the American Youth Hostels Continued on last page SHE READ HIS THOUGHTS" - - - and found he was not thinking of her at all, but only of BOYD'S - - - Aind... While having his thoughts read he realized his feet were most uncomfortable -- and decided to try BOYD'S for his next pair of Shoes. So many of his friends told him of the good shoes and the good fitting they had received at this store. ... AND YOU PAY NO MORE! Sponsoring Variety Bingo Games Arena, To-Night The Optimist Club of Stfatford is again sponsoring its monster variety bingo tonight at the Stratford arena and it behooves all interested in the charitable work of this organization to cooperate with this young organiz- ation by attending. During the summer the Optimists have expanded their playground pro- gram beyond the expectations of most citizens. Today there is a third play- ground available for the children. It is at Anne Hathaway school grounds, generously made available through the co-operation of the Board of Educa- tion. The new playground is but one of the varied facilities made available by the Optimists to the younger people of the city. This winter will see young boys of the city at home in their new club on the banks of the Avon river. It is hoped by the Optimists that the "home" will be one of the best boys' clubs in Ontario. Your patronage of Optimist Club projects will assist in completing the work. Bingo is a great game. It helps re- lieve the mind of most of the every- day worries for at least a couple of hours. That bingo is a popular game is indicated by the fact that these monster bingos attract upwards of 1,700 to 2,000 people each night they are held. Remember, it's bingo af. the arena tonight. Christmas Gifts For Overseas Forces "Do not open until Christmas." That exciting phrase should soon be mak- ing its appearance on parcel mail de- spite the fact that many places in Canada are just recovering from the hottest spell on record. Postmaster- General William P. Mulock advises that it is time to make plans for Christmas gift parcels to members of the armed forces overseas. The Christ- mas mailingperiod this year is September 15 -- October 25 Naturally parcels sent to those serv~- ing in the more remote theatres of the war should be sent the earliest. Sug- gested "deadline" mailing dates are: September 15--The Far East, India, Burma, Ceylon, etc. October 5--The Middle East--Egypt, Iran, Iraq, S:yria, etc. October 10--Central Mediterranean Forces. October 25--The United Kingdom and France. Last Christmas season (Oct.-Nov.- Dec.) over 12,000,000 lbs. of parcel mail alone were despatched to the forces overseas from Canada. This year an even greater volume is expect- ed. Therefore, EARLY MAILING Is NECESSARY to enable postal officials to cope with the handling, and to carry out arrangements for transportation on trains and ships. Remember that cargo space is still at a premium. A suggestion to further help our boys and girls on active service receive their gifts from home is to voluntar- ily cut down, as far as possible, on the size of the package, even though the maximum weight at the special rate of 12 ments per pound is 11 Ibs. HE STRATFORD MIRROR