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t V 2 The C?in;i<lian Statesman. Bowma mille. October 14 in«7 Section Two Ejje Canabtan Statesman 623-3303 Durham County's Greet Family Journal Established 133 years aoo In 1854. Also Incorporating The Bowmen vj He News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mail registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THE JAMES PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King St. W., Bowman vibe, Ontario L1C 3K9 JOHN M. JAMES Editor--Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. RICHARD A. JAMES Assistant Publisher BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. PETER PARROTT Associate Editor DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr. All layout» and composition of advertisements produced by the employees of The Canadian Statesman, The Newcastle Independent and The James Publishing Company Limited are protected by copyright and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. $17.00 a year--6 months $9.00 strictly In advance foreign--$55.00 a year Although every precaution will be taken lo avoid error. The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising in its columns on the understanding that it will not be liable for any error in the advertisement published hereunder unless a prool ol such advertisement is requested in writing by the advertiser and relumed to The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by the advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted in writing thereon, and in that case if any error so noted is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman its liability shall not exceed such a portion of the entire cost of such advertisement as the space occupied by the noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. Comment Crab, Crab, Crab... • Thankfulness is not a common trait. - Under normal circumstances, we tend to complain more about the things that we do not have rather than beingthankful for the things we have. That's a well-known failing of human beings. Perhaps dissatisfaction dissatisfaction with our lot in life is not entirely a bad thing because it spurs us onwards onwards toward achievement. ■ But not all of our criticism is constructive constructive or productive. Indeed, at times, there is a sort of mindless criticism criticism which is not aimed at improving anything but is only intended to vent frustration. Whimpering or carping would be a better description of the trait. ; .Rather than being thankful, we whimper a lot. • The subjects vary. We may complain complain about the economy or about the quality of the consumer goods we buy or. about our government, our schools, oçour health care. The list is endless. « The irony is that our lack of contentment contentment is made possible by the fact that we have so much more than our forefathers. We have more possessions, possessions, more free time, better education, education, and greater access to information. information. In other words, we have both the means and the time to complain. '.Rather than makingus happy, these trappings of success seem only to serve as a source of further worries. ! ^Consider, for example, the plight of those persons who supposedly celebrated celebrated the first Thanksgiving in North America. The early colonists had no color tvs, no vers or video games. They had no health care to speak of. They ran the risk of starvation. They had no central heating. They had life expectancy expectancy lower than our own. Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, they could have taken up a petition petition demanding their immediate return return home to England because conditions conditions in the colonies were less than ideal. However, they stuck with it. They founded a country. Undoubtedly, they were not exactly thrilled with conditions as they found them in the early years of settlement. But (at least according to the folklore of our times) they were thankful for what they had and, we presume, hopeful of things that they had not yet managed to possess. possess. Perhaps our tendency towards thanklessness rather than thankfulness thankfulness is the direct result of a lack of meaningful challenges in modern day life. Perhaps it is because of a feeling that the average Joe has very little say in the control of his life. And always, because of our higher educations educations and better access to information, information, we are aware of the ways in which things could be better. The gap between what we have and what we wish we had is never closed. Given our standard of living as North Americans, it is absurd and almost almost obscene not to feel thankful and not to take some time to count those blessings. Almost daily, there are horror stories of those who face famines, disease, disease, political upheaval, and human rights infringements across the world. If we cannot be thankful, who can? Time to Pull the Plug Much of the way in which we see our world comes from television. We're not referring just to the fact that TV news and public affairs shows select certain facts to report to their audiences. We're also referring to the possibility that people's language; language; tastes in food, clothing, cars and furniture; and perhaps some of their ideas are spin-offs from TV. People want to dress like the folks on Dynasty or have kids as cute as the ones on Bill Cosby's show. And, from their consumption of TV cops and robbers shows, they probably get the feeling that crime is running rampant on the streets. But, up until now, there was a break between the TV and the watcher. It was always possible to make the distinction distinction between what was happening happening on the tube and what was going on in the home that contained the television. Now, thanks to a recent development development in technology, that isn't happening happening any more. With a special "ray gun", a kid can actually shoot back at the robots and bad guys on a new TV show. In other words, the link between reality reality and the fictionalized world of the TV tube is getting blurred. And, if we reach the point where we can shoot at the characters on the TV screen, how long will it be before they can shoot back at us? • The fact of the matter is that the "artificial" life depicted on television television will soon be more real than the real things which are happening in our everyday lives. Maybe it's time to pull the plug. Did We Win or Lose? In responding to the free trade discussions discussions which concluded last week, it seems that there are two pitfalls to be avoided. One lies in taking the talks and their outcome too seriously. And the other mistake lies in not taking taking them seriously enough. We should point out that the whole process is, of course, conducted on that cock-eyed playing field known as politics. Therefore, the talks do not represent the last word on anything. For there is nothing in the political realm which cannot be amended, rescinded, rescinded, reviewed, repealed, reconsidered, reconsidered, or renegotiated -- especially in light of an impending election. The entire U.S. - Canada trade pact must be cleared by the U.S. Congress later in the year. And after that, it would still be the target of any politician or would-be politician with a speech and a soap box. We have not yet heard the last of free trade. And, indeed, we have hardly even heard the beginning. It seems to us that the trade document document is primarily a political device and not an economic one. But the fact that it is part of the Alice in Wonderland Wonderland world of politics docs not necessarily necessarily mean that it can be passed over lightly. This political document, however vague and subject to revisions at a future date, still represents the way that our national government is looking looking at the world. There's a certain amount of evidence evidence that Canadians should he concerned concerned over what they see. It's pretty clear that Canada has thrown in its lot with the Americans. We have hitched our wagon to the U.S. star. Now there are those who say that the Canada and U.S. relationship has always been one of Canadian dependency. dependency. And that is quite true. After all, if the Americans choose to do something with which the Canadians disagree, we couldn't exactly stage a jnilitary invasion to stop them. But the problem with the free trade agreement is that it enshrines our de- penuency in a legal treaty. It stren- ghtens our weaknesses and it is Prime Minister Mulroney's declaration declaration of dependence. Canada's sovereignty as an independent independent nation has always been a trump card that we could play in future future dealings with the U.S. But with the free trade deal, we have thrown that card away. There's considerable discussion about whether or not this agreement will ever be ratified in the U.S. But we suspect that it will be accepted quite readily across the border. For many Americans, it's an ideal antidote to protectionism because it offers the Americans an option that's even better than protectionism. It offers offers them the possibility of empire- building. Already, the American White House has suggested that the free trade pact between Canada and the U.S. could serve as a model for other deals between the U.S. and her trading trading allies. The proponents of U.S. trade deals with other countries will offer the possibility of an empire in place of isolationism. And the Amer- Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere Tourism Association Has Big Plans for Region by Carolyn Hepburn The new and improved Tourism Association of Durham Region (TADR) is making big plans to help promote our region. "Not enough people know what Durham Region is and what it has to offer," said David Gould, chairman of the association's steering committee. The association's plans, including a flashy new logo, were unveiled at a meeting of TADR held on October 8 at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa. A crowd of200 representatives representatives of tourism businesses! businesses! throughout Durhaiyi, as well as both local and provincial government government officials, listened to proposals for promoting tourism in the region. Mr. Gould encouraged everyone attending the meeting to join TADR and help in "spreading the gospel gospel according to Durham.". In July 1987, a meeting at Cullen Gardens in Whitby, introduced the Region of Durham's Tourism Strategy, Strategy, and produced the association's association's steering committee committee that would provide direction to the strengthened tourism association. association. The 19-member committee, representing ' both profit and non-profit organizations, municipalities, municipalities, information centres and other tourist facilities, has spent the summer looking looking at previous TADR materials, materials, experiences and de veloped the outline. The outline includes: a quarterly newsletter, increased increased highway signs promoting TADR members, and updated tourism brochures. Tourism is a multi-million multi-million dollar business for the Region of Durham, and next to forestry is the largest income income generator in Ontario, according to Mr. Gould. "There is a tremendous job creation potential," said Mr. Gould. "We can make something happen," he added. Ruth Burkholder, general manager of the Central Ontario Ontario Travel Association (COTA), of which TADR is a member, introduced the proposed hew glossy brochures and travel guide for the Region of Durham. "The tourism industry doesn't go broke, doesn't pollute and doesn't go on strike," she said. "You have tosell what you have," she added. It was pointed out that the competition with Toronto is a major factor in the overall decline of our region's tourism promotions. "We don't have a large theme park like Canada's Wonderland and I don't think we need one," said Mr. Gould. He stressed the region's fishing, parks, marinas, bed and breakfast locations and a wide range of tourist facilities. facilities. Pat Olive, regional economic officer, told the Clarke Museum Makes Plans For Programs in the Classroom Teachers looking for something different for their classrooms this fall will appreciate the chance to have the Clarke Museum come right to their doorstep. In an attempt to help students students be better prepared for fall visits to the museum, curator Mark Jackman is taking a "crash course" to the schools. "Through an introduction at the schools, students will come with questions and an interest in the museum," said Mark. Interest in the unique 'education program really took off at the recent Orono Fair. Mark reports that many people (several teachers teachers included) have inquired about having him come for .class presentations. Mark has been approached approached by an art teacher at one of the area schools who wishes him to work with her class. He has also be asked to come to the schools in costume. That is something that Mark does often for special events such as the Orono Fair. The education program will include kits on various topics, including printing in 1830, broom making, and blacksmithing. Though the kits are on loan from the museum, having Mark personally personally appear can add a special flavour to the activity. activity. Other kits that will be available available in the spring of 1988 include topics ranging from the early settlers to industrial industrial development in Clarke to newspapers and newspapermen. newspapermen. Anyone who visited the Clarke Museum display at the Orono Fair saw the art of wood block printing. This is one of the demonstrations demonstrations available. Further to the education program, museum tours led by a costumed interpreter are available by appointment. appointment. The museum asks for at least one week's notice if possible. Though the Clarke Museum closes at the end of November, Mark will not be calling it quits for the winter months. The museum's archives are available for research by appointment. Mark also hopes to spend his time working on several shadow box displays for the archives archives for the 1988 year, as well as install some special lighting in the museum. By Carolyn Hepburn This flashy new logo was unveiled at a meeting of the Tourism Association of Durham (TADR) on Thursday, October 8. the logo features the large D for Durham, with white and blue waves below and a yellow sun. Regional Chairman Gary Herrema is very interested audience that there is at least$ll million million to be made from tourism locally. Micheal Ruby, a provin- . cial tourism consultant, said that one large area of the field that goes largely untapped is the "visiting friends and relatives." It was agreed that when friends and relatives do come visiting in the Durham Region, they arc often taken lo attractions in Toronto. Plans also include a TADR sponsored "literature "literature swap." Tourism facilities facilities will be able to trade brochures and literature with other business, hence strengthening their advertising advertising markets. TADR will also try to cut the costs of printing and other promotional activities activities by using joint efforts with various businesses. While the organization hopes to be financially self- supporting, Mr. Gould stressed stressed that starting simply was the key. "We need to do the simple things and do them very, very well," he said. At the close of the meeting, meeting, TADR elected a committee committee which will choose an executive from its members. members. Representing the Bowmnnville Zoo on that committee is Leslie Poll Tell. The .strengthening of tourism in the Durham Region Region will lie a combination venture, featuring help from COTA, TADR, and the provincial ministry of tourism and recreation. pictured with the designer of the logo, Cathy Van Toch. The meeting was partially to attract interested tourism facilities to the association and to release new tourism strategies including glossy brochures and improved road signs. icans will undoubtedly buy that concept. concept. This, of course, leaves Canada as a northern outpost of the U.S. It's been said that without free trade, Canada would have been cut off from an isolationist U.S. We would have been reduced to the level of poor cousins living on the doorstep of the world's largest and most prosperous prosperous democracy. So we've given up that role in exchange exchange for the right to be one cog in the immense American-based economic system. And to get that status, we've traded away our last bargaining chips. It may not be an agreement to be proud of. But it should also he noted that the document is very much a long-term arrangement, subject to interpretations interpretations of future governments. It will take years and perhaps even decades before the supporters of free trade can be cither blamed or vindicated. vindicated. So, the town councillors councillors have a wish list do they? The list consists of future future projects in the Town of Newcastle that the town would like to see completed when funding is available, and was dubbed "the wish list" at last week's general purpose purpose meeting. At the chance of playing playing the devil's advocate the following column is my own special "wish list" for the Town of Newcastle. At the head of the list is the Courtice water problem. Now, don't put down the paper because you think this is going to be another bleeding heart plea for water for the troubled area. The fact is that I think helping helping the affected home owners should be a priority for any available available municipal funds once the amount of the provincial government contribution has been confirmed. Next on the list would be the school situation in that same area. That problem is being addressed addressed in the present construction construction on the Courtice West Elementary School, but it will still need plenty of future consideration. Also on the wish list for Courtice is a library. in order to got to these newly constructed build ings, and anywhere else in this town, road work is definitely needed. For example, Queen Street in Bowmanville resembles resembles a Wonderland roller coaster. There is construction on that road, but elsewhere in the community where there is no construction many roads aren't fit to drive on. My poor Ford Escort may not be the classiest car around but I'm hoping hoping that it survives the rigors associated with automobile transportation transportation in this area. As I move down the list, I hit the cultural areas in the Town of Newcastle. How about expansions to both the Bowmanville and Clarke Museums? I understand that they have been talked about before. I'd like to see the talking stop and some action made towards helping these two extremely well-run and popular places keep up with the demand for new and innovative innovative ideas that expansion expansion could make possible. possible. Not exactly cultural, hut certainly a benefit to a large portion of our population would be a seniors centre, 1 don't care what anyone says, the seniors in the Town of Newcastle arc often overlooked and it is time to give a helping hand to the tremendous organizations organizations already in place, such as Community Care, that assist the older folks in the town. And how about those firefighters? Statistics show that communities which are smaller than we are have larger fulltime fulltime forces. In recent months, part-time firefighters firefighters just haven't been available during the daytime to answer the calls. The entire town can't keep relying on Lady Luck to keep a tragic fire situation away. With expansion and development coming coming as fast as it is an expanded expanded full-time force is, and has been for quite some time, a necessity. Any of the above thoughts could easily be translated into action, say, for the price of the proposed arena. And that brings me to the final item on my wish list, though I know there arc plenty more. The final item is probably the most important and yet the most difficult. It isn't a tangible item and it doesn't require any financing. It is simply a wish that the town councillors councillors continue to spend money wiscly ( approve projects for the betterment betterment of the ENTIRE Town of Newcastle, and strive to always put the citizens first.