PAGE 14, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1987 Brookhin Profile ROXANNE REVELER News & Features Editor Phone 655-3637 Some time ago, I watched a panel discussion on'the have been worth it. telly. The panelists were doctors, public health officials Most people exposed to the AIDS virus develop an- and scientist9. The subject was AIDS. It was pretty grim tibodies but show littie or no evidence ofit. Some stuff. The most sobering moment came when the question V IE O IN T authorities believe 90 per cent carrying AIDS antibodies was put: "Would you describe the present situation as an don't even know it. But these people may, or may not, epidemic?" deveiop full bown AIDS within a time frame of anywhere. Without exception, the answer was "Yes." between two and 10 years. It is now thought that perhaps The following question was, "Would you describe it as a by 50 percent of those infected wili end up dying of AIDS- plague?" The consensus was, "Not yet." Not a very com- reiated diseases. forting thought. Granted, the great majority of North Americans with The program over, one thought continued to nag at the AIDS are stili bomosexuai maies. But AIDS is NOT a gay back of my mind: With the known facts (obscure as they âî disease; it affects heterosexuais equaliy. In-the United still might be) concerning AIDS, why on God's good earth States, who keep better stats than we north of the border, do peopie stili continue to have casuai sex? nature and ramifications of the disease, and despite ail the number of heterosexuaiiy transmitted cases bas in- tahitang out this or a whie: When a person makeslove the warnings.of bealtb officiais and otbers, the majority of creased 200 per cent in the past year. Cases among g*. to a stranger, be may be making love to every person that heterosexuals do'not take the threat seriousiy enougb to men and intravenoi .j drug users increased only 80 per' stranger has made love to for the past 10 years. Why? bave cbanged their sexuai habits. cent. Quite terrifying figures I'd say. Because anyone of those former partners may bave been Last summer, the aforementioned paneiists said, a sur- If a person believes he or she migbt bave been exposed infected with the AIDS virus, and tbe virus, or its an- vey in San Francisco, where tbe iiiness bas probably been to the AIDS virus, the only way to know is to bave a blood tibodies, may have been passed on to them. more publicized than anywbere else, asked 400 randomly test. Even then, a wait of up to six months may be Consider: if that stranger you made love to had one chosen beterosexuals bow mucb impact AIDS had bad on necessary for confirmation. And wbat then? There is no other sex partner a year over the past 10 years, and each their sexual behavior: 63 per cent said none of littie. cure for AIDS. There is no vaccine. Nor is there likely to ofthbose partners one encounter per year (not an excessive Unfortunatey, many people stili believe AIDS is ex- be a vaccine within the next five years at ieast. And even number these days it appears), the possibilities, even clusiveiy a gay or bisexuai disease. It isnt. Many pride at such time as one comes aiong, I question how effective though remote, are staggering. tbemselves that they are able to tell wbether a potentiai it will be because tbe AIDS virus is given to mutating. Being realistic, the virus isn't necessarily transmitted sex artner'is "okay." Tbey can't. A surprising number So, if you continue to engage in casual, sex, there are in each sexual encounter in which one partner has the bave a kind of immortaiity syndrome... "ters, maybe only two ways to ensure you do not contact AIDS: By virus. True. But the troubling thought remains; it may but not me." This kind of error in judgment could prove being absoiutely sure of your partner (and how many can have'been. And for the life of me, I can't understand wiy fatal. do that), or by the use of condoms (and is anytbing people still play this form of Russian roulette. Altbough I bave written on the subject of AIDS before, manufactured guaranteed 100 per cent). roulette. tbere are a few more facts that bave to be brought forth. l'Il give the last word to Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan, an The astonishing fact about the emergence and spread nf Please bear with me. If only one of you heed the words and American sex expert: "Remember," sbe says, "The only AIDS is that, despite overwbelming publicity given to the, because of it avoid falling to the wicked disease, it wil truly safe way to avoid AIDS is no casual sex ever again. Reflections of a Golden Age By MABEL M. McCABE If you happen to watch television in the morning around 11:30 you will see on an American station a show made to appear like a game show. It is really a come-on for the Home Shopping Club. Now this, craze has invaded Canada and on our channel signal that comes through as 14 on your dial we are inundated by the hard sell. This is not a joke. It's a disaster. How many people out there have found themselves in trouble because tliey used credit cards too much? Thousands are only now realizing how insidious easy buying can be and trying to get out of debt. Now we are subjected to televised come-ons that rivql the spiels of an old carnival barker. Remember how they could seduce you at the exhibition? You'd spend good money on an item and when you got home and tried to use it, the thing fell apart. You had nowhere to turn and the salesman was miles away doing his bit to separate some other sucker from his money. We learned good lessons. I've watched these shows for a while and the junk they offer is the pits. You do not need it but many will buy because it's the 'in' thing to do. I think there should be a law against it. Someone has to protect folks from their own stupidity. Who needs a Zircon ring or earrings or even a pendant and how many of these fake jewels can one person wear at a time? These outfits want your credit card number and your name and address, of course. What's to stop some of them from using those important facts to their own advantage? We, as television viewers, should be raising a great noise about the use of the open channels for this garbage. Many will wind up with a mound of trash and large debts if it continues. Rogers Cable and the CRTC could stop this if they had the guts to act. I recall the high-pressure salesmen who used to call at the door and try to sell brushes or hair-oil or some other gimmick. This is the same idea only they have revised and polished it so the viewer thinks he is getting a great bargain. As the old saying goes "If you think it's too good to be true, it is." Let all buyers beware of items that cannot be examined in person. Most of the things I've seen are cheap and can be bought in regular stores for a quarter of the price quoted. The Canadian channel I mentioned has such poor quality of pic- ture and voice co-ordination that it resembles an old cartoon. The man who calls himself James or Bill can never get his mouth to catch up with his words and he gives a time limit in which to buy. He is trying very hard to make folks go for a bad deal and some of them really fall for it. I've been around many years and have been taken in my youth by these con artists and I hope this article will alert the young ones to take great care. We have to·be ever on guard for our own and others' welfare. Let's get something intelligent on this channel or let the cable company drop it now. St. Leo's holds annual bazaar The congregation of St. Leo's will be holding their annual bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 31, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. As is customary, it will be held in St. Leo's school, ac- cessible from North Street. Featured 111 be horne'baking candy, crafts, knitting, sewing, Christmas decorations, folk art, a country sto re, preserves, jams, jellies, pickles, fresh vegetables, plants, a children's corner and much more. There will also be a tea room and special draws throughout the day. Horticulture workshop on Nov.14 By FLORENCE ASHTON The Brooklin Horticultural Society met last Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. at Brooklin United Church. As they were unable to have the chrysanthemum and vegetable show at Fairview Expert to give microwave tips Local residents will be able to pick up tips from a professional on Wednesday, Oct. 7, as microwave cooking expert Shirley Couillard come to Brooklin. Couillard, who resides in the Kit- chener area, is the author of two popular cook books which will be available for purchase. Her menu of demonstrations will include chicken dishes, cabbage rolls, crepes, vegetables and desserts, all done the quick and easy microwave way. Couillard will also explain the best way to purchase a microwave, pointing out which features to look for when buying, and what dishes are best cooked in the microwave. This special presentation, spon- sored by Group '74, will be held in the Christian Education Building of Brooklin United Church. Tickets for the event are available at Brooklin Flour Mill, or by calling Linda at 655-8934, or Betty, 655-3646. Message in song .Singing their own compositions, Bob and Lorraine Tadman will tell about the Bible at St. Thomas Brooklin Memorial hall on Satur- day, Oct. 17,7 p.m. ~St.'l'tornas' Angicani chuirch Brooklin, Anderson St. N. Sunday 8:30 a.m. - H.C. 10:30 a.m. - H.C. or Morning Prayer Nursery and Church School Incumbent: Rev. Ivan Dyer Ail Wecome 655-3483 .. .. Lodge this year, they decided to in- clude it with this meeting. The meeting featured a spring bulb workshop and sale. Ken Brown led the workshop and all aspects of bulb culture were addressed. Looking ahead to Saturday, Nov. 14, there will be a workshop featuring Christmas decorations. This event will be held at Burns Church, Ashburn. The workshop/seminar will start at 9:30 a.m. and finish at 2 p.m. A hot lun- cheon will be served. To reserve spot call Betty Van Buuren at 655- 4937 or speak to Veronica Colangelo at the meeting on Wednesday night. This year is the first time the Brooklin Horticultural Society has a photography contest. Entries must be submitted by Oct. 27 to any member of the executive. Rev. McEntyre's Sermon title on Sunday, Sept. 20 was 'Living in the Household of God,' his text being from St. John 14, verse 2. Doug Ashton and Ruth Oliver read the scripture lessons. The senior choir sang "Face to Face." The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at Burns on Sunday, Oct. 4. In the evening at 7:30 p.rn. the Eleanor Knight Group of the W.M.S. will hold their fall thank- offering. The theme is Youth with guest speaker Karen McAndless, who is presently a student at Knox College. A number of our young people will be assisting in the ser- vice. Burns Church 138th anniversary is on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Rev. Robert Spencer from Crieff Hills is the guest minister. Special music at both services. Please keep me informed of any news events for this column. I would so appreciate hearing from you.