Letter to the Editor - May 14, 2008

To the Editor,
Last Wednesday I had the privilege of attending a conversation about Free Trade and Food Sovereignty. The speakers were Ubali Buerrero, a woman representing a farmers’ organization in the Mexican state of Guerrero, Miguel Conlunga, of the Democratic Front of Chihuahua, and Allan Slater, an Oxford County farmer and team member of the Christian Peacemakers.
We heard about the erosion in many countries of food sovereignty and the plight of small farmers around the world, who are forced to sell cheaply regardless of the costs of production. Many countries must now import food staples, and in the midst of world hunger, grain crops are grown to “feed machines rather than people.” Increasing food prices, privatization of water, and in some places victimization and violence toward farmers who attempt to resist these trends add to the gloomy picture.
Though our own situation is far less dire than some that we heard about, we too are feeling the bite of these changes. Recently the farmers at Sunnivue Farm in Ailsa Craig (http://www.sunnivue-farm.on.ca) received an apologetic letter from their flour suppliers, who find it necessary to raise drastically the price of the organic flour they sell. As a result, a loaf of Sunnivue bread will have to cost more.
Ellinor, baker-in-chief at Sunnivue, laments this increase. In all her years of bread-baking, she has never before had to raise the price. Despite the high quality of the ingredients and the labour-intensive process, despite sharp increases in the price of electricity and worries about the supply of honey, she has always felt that bread should be as affordable as possible.
Truly we are united with farmers and other families in Mexico and many other countries as we face challenges to our easy access to affordable and nutritious food. Perhaps our best hope lies in dialogue such as that undertaken last Wednesday, giving us the opportunity to compare experiences and to support one another in asserting the value of small-scale farming and the rights of all to clean water and decent food.
Sally Vernon
London

Letters to the editor - April 16, 2008

To the Readers of the Grand Bend Strip,
With the ever increasing need for fundraising dollars to support community initiatives, those less fortunate and a multitude of other charitable services, now is the time to get involved and make a difference. For as little as a few hours a month, you can donate your time to a local service club. The benefits are endless, as are the rewards of giving back to the community and being part of an organization that is literally worldwide. The West Coast Lions Club is in fact a club that can help you make a difference not only for others but the sense of satisfaction that comes from belonging to a group that prides itself on many aspects of personal development and fellowship.
We invite you to attend a membership seminar located at the Pinedale Motor Inn April 16 at 7 p.m. This seminar will give a history of the Association of Lions Clubs, and insight into the work we do both at a community level and through the International Association of Lions Clubs. Please take the time to join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and an informative presentation.
Yours in Lionism
Michael McDougall
Membership Chair Committee
519-238-5075

The Rotary Club of Grand Bend is pleased to welcome two new members: Ed Fluter, a retired educator and extensive world traveler; and John Smits, a retired plastics engineer. Both are seeking opportunities to make a contribution.
Interested in joining? Please contact Jim at 519-238-8800 or write Grand Bend Rotary, PO Box 1261, Grand Bend, Ontario N0M 1T0

To the Editor:
The Huron CNIB “Focus on Crocus” Campaign for 2008 was a huge success. The campaign raised funds by selling pots of crocus. Funds raised will help the CNIB provide service to the 273 clients in Huron County who are blind, partially blind or deaf blind.
Of course, the campaign could not have succeeded without the help of many businesses, nursing homes, and hospitals where we had displays and sold crocus. The displays were served by many volunteers - especially members of Lions Clubs from Goderich, Wingham, Auburn, Seaforth, Blyth, Londesborough, Clinton, Vanastra and Exeter. Lions truly are the “knights of the blind.”  I trust that everyone who helped in any way - either selling or buying crocus - recognize that their help is important and is appreciated.
Sincerely, Bob Fischer
519-233-1394
P.S. Anyone who missed the “Focus on Crocus” but wants to help would be welcome on our  fundraising “Walk Toward Independence” at the Menesetung Trail in Goderich on May 25, 2008.

Three cheers, Rita Lessard!!! (re: March 12 Advice from Mom)
Maybe your mother and my mother were related in the distant past. That was the kind of thing my mom told me too if I was too whiny… “Cut it out or I’ll give you something to really whine about.” Or, if she thought I was being too snively… “Cut it out or I’ll give you something to really cry about.” I guess it worked because I brought my kids up that way too, and they all seem the better for it.
So, let’s hear it for all those Moms who care enough about their kids to lay on a little bit of ‘tough love’ when it is needed.
Bill Metcalfe
Huron Woods

Saying goodbye

(Reader Lee McCutcheon was inspired by the View from the Strip, March 12, and wanted to share some words written for his mother’s funeral in 2005):
Saying “Goodbye” never hurts so much as when we know that it is final. Throughout our lives we issue each “Goodbye” comforted in the knowledge and reasonable expectation that each one correspondingly will be followed with a welcome “Hello.” And so it becomes very hurtful when we must face the reality that such expectations for someone we have known and loved, no longer hold true.
It’s my understanding that the wishes “Fare thee well,” “Farewell,” and”Fond farewell” were precursors to the expression “Goodbye.” When we wish someone a “Goodbye,” it contains the hope that the one with whom we are parting company will be well until we meet again. And, therefore, the prospect of never meeting again can be the one that hurts the most.
Even with the understanding of the inevitabilities in life, there’s nothing that we can ever say, or do, it seems that truly prepares us for the day when a dearly loved one is no longer a part of our lives.
Such were my feelings when in July 2001 my youngest sister, Sylvia Lewis, died at the early age of 48; and in March 2002 when my Dad, Allin Stewart, died at the senior age of 84.
Mom, I know that we have to say goodbye for now. And on behalf of all in our family I thank everyone who came to this service today to share in this farewell. But know this too Mom, that we weren’t ready yet to say goodbye to you. The truth be told, we never would be and that we truly wished we would never have to.

Babysitter position wanted

Mexican woman looking for a baby-sitting job in Grand Bend.

Please contact Grand Bend Strip at 519-614-3614 for contact information.

Lessons in Love: A tribute at Valentine’s

With Valentine’s Day this week, there is a lot of emphasis on being in love; I would like to share what true love means to me.
I was an observer, an outsider, to the secrets of love. I watched as daily kisses and hugs were exchanged and tender embraces were given. I watched as coffee was poured and icy car windows were scraped off to make someone else’s morning run smoothly. I heard the laughter over a new experience enhanced by the past they shared together.  I watched as baths were run and phone calls were answered just to say hello.
It was not only the happy times that taught me about romance; it was also the arguments, which left someone sitting coolly quiet, and the stares that meant someone had done something unacceptable to the other. There were the irritations of nights of listening to snoring or extended time playing Scrabble on the computer.
These were as much in abundance as the kind words of encouragement to find a new job, to overcome illness, and to make it through another difficult day of winter driving. I watched as obstacles were tackled and resolutions found.
I did not learn about love watching romantic movies where passion leads the path to happiness; I watched real life from the comfort of my own home. I watched the mutual respect that my parents had for one another. Love did not mean that feelings were never hurt and anger never arose. It was simple: there were two people who had learned to put someone ahead of him- or herself. That meant that someone was always looking out for them and their best interests. 
I was fortunate enough to find a man who shares similar love lessons. We have molded our marriage around what we have been taught and a shared sense of camaraderie.
Love is perfect! People are not. Every day we need to make a decision to create love, to live putting someone ahead of ourselves with the knowledge that someone has put us ahead of them. Happiness will always follow love.
Thank you to my teachers of love, Mom and Dad, and to my amazing husband Jamie, who continues to make me want to strive to make him as happy as he makes me.
Joanne (Morgan) Smith
Kincardine

Elevator first sign of things to come

February at last in Grand Bend! and I am reminded of the big heart and grand spirit of this village.
Although great controversy and vast fundraising has been undertaken, the new public elevator at the beach house at the foot of Main Street is near completion. In this formidable season, it’s a powerful testament to the local economy, and to the service groups that raised the approximate $80,000 to get this first fresh aspect of the beach enhancement underway. Surely it will be completed by the hot summer season that awaits our summer village and the impending onslaught of cottagers and tourists we so love and anticipate. The aged and disabled will soon be equally enabled to view the beach and lake from the upper deck. We all can agree that this will be the first jewel of many planned to enhance and embellish the waterfront experiences we all love to see and be a part of, especially in the dog days of summer.
As I type this letter to the editor, snow is causing tremendous problems around the province, but that signals FUN weather for the winter carnival, celebrating the off season fun and friendship throughout N0M 1T0. Grand Bend will be alive and prospering in opposing weather conditions, but in a very similar spirit as that which the warm summer brings to Main Street Grand Bend.
Rob Webb
Grand Bend

There is only one way to God - letter writer

Unity. Peace. Understanding. Tolerance. Cooperation. These are things that all, or at least most, of us want in our world. I’m in favour of all of the above. However, what I’m about to write is going to sound intolerant and probably politically incorrect.
Recently, World Religion Day was observed locally. There is a reason why I have annually chosen not to take part in this event. It isn’t because I hate any particular person or group. In fact, I follow a risen Saviour who has taught me to love other people. But love does not necessarily mean promoting or affirming all ideas and teachings as equally valid. Now, I do realize that the intentions of those involved in efforts such as World Religion Day are pure: “To foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions.” Sounds good. Sounds positive. Sounds comfortable for everyone concerned. Unfortunately, comfortable messages, while good to hear, aren’t necessarily true. Those “common denominators” only go so far, and there’s very little that underlies all religions.
Now, of course, there is some amount of wisdom to be found in all faiths. However, it’s dangerous to imagine that all faiths are equally valid ways of getting to God. There are too many inconsistencies for that to be possible. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Not everybody believes that, but what I’m getting at is: how can I put my faith in Christ as the Son of God, and the only way to God, and still affirm every other faith at the same time? It just doesn’t fit. Pretty intolerant, isn’t it?
Why do I believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God, and more than just another prophet? Because He’s the only one who died in my place so that I could live for eternity with Him, and He’s the only one who rose again from the dead. Muhammad may have been wise, but he didn’t do that. Neither did Baha’u’llah, Zoroaster, Gautama, Abraham, or Moses. Wise and enlightened people they were, but none was God in the flesh, except Jesus Christ. And none other has offered salvation as a free gift rather than something to be earned.
One might say that the claims Jesus made about Himself are terribly arrogant. Not if they’re true. And proclaiming one belief system as superior to others sounds intolerant. Not if it’s true. And while unity of all mankind is a noble goal, which I share, I also believe in truth.
There are three basic ways to achieve unity. One is to compromise and water down all the various teachings to the point where none of us really stands for much of anything. Another is to “agree to disagree.” But again, where is truth in that? The third way is to unite, once and for all, behind the truth; and you can imagine that I’m going to proclaim Jesus Christ as the embodiment of that truth.
“How dare you?” someone might say. Isn’t that insensitive to someone who believes differently? Let me ask this: if you knew the cure for cancer or AIDS, would you tell anybody? I believe that Jesus is the answer for all that plagues mankind, so I’m going to tell people about it. Or someone might say, “That’s not very loving.” Another question: if a close friend or family member is doing something with dire consequences or moving in a wrong direction, would you correct that person? And is that intolerance? …or love?
History is full of examples of people who have proclaimed nice, comfortable, messages that people wanted to hear. Those messengers are usually popular, but not necessarily right. Meanwhile, there have been many others who have proclaimed the truth and been very unpopular for it. I, for one, wish to err on the side of truth, even if it be unpopular. That’s because I follow a risen Saviour who set just such an example.
Finally, one could point to Christianity as a whole, and say how fragmented and lacking in unity we are. Any disunity amongst Christians comes from man-made doctrines and petty disputes, not from God. Thankfully, we are not called to follow Christians; we are called to follow Christ, who teaches unity, peace, and love, through Him.
This has been an intolerant, yet loving, message, brought to you by just one Christian, and has not been paid for by anyone.
Thomas Bailey
Grand Bend

Former chamber executive’s daughter questions termination

To the editor,

Have you ever seen someone who seems perfectly suited for his or her job? My mom is such a person.
Mom is 61 years old and has worked hard all her life. She is someone who is very dedicated; she enjoys going to work.
She worked as a bank teller for over 13 years, she is an experienced professional who has owned and operated her own business, and until last week my mother was Executive Director of the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce. Anyone who has stopped by the chamber in the last year would know my mother, Barbara Gare. She is a naturally outgoing, friendly people-person who loves to organize. She just loved working for the chamber. She excelled in this post and worked hard to find ways to make improvements.
Mom was one week short of her one-year anniversary when five people walked in to the office, handed her a letter and told her she had 15 minutes to leave the premises. To add insult to injury, the police were called in after she was still gathering her things 20 minutes later.
I believe my mother was treated unfairly and unprofessionally. Chamber membership has increased since her hiring, events were well organized and community feedback was extremely supportive. Her six-month performance review was also positive. In my experience, professional organizations inform employees if they are not performing to expectations, thereby allowing them a chance to improve. My mother was never given an explanation for her dismissal.
We teach children to try to work out their problems and to treat others as they would like to be treated. Unfortunately, as adults we tend to forget these lessons. My mother deserves, at the very least, an apology from the executive of the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce.

Belinda Gare
Rigaud, QC

Editor’s Note: Barbara Gare’s lawyer sent a letter to the chamber last week, and as a result, the chamber executive is not commenting on this matter.

Letter re: Church reflects time and place

Dear Casey,

The October 10th issue was in the post when we got home from being away for a time. One of the items that caught my eye was about the Baileys and their Saturday night ministry. They are responding to the recognition that the teachings of Jesus need to be presented in ways that suit the place and time in which we find ourselves. The world of theatre has long recognized that plays from the past or about the past can be made to resonate in the present. For example, The Shaw Festival’s “Saint Joan,” offered this season, is so powerful that it speaks to the world of today. In the same way, the power inherent in Jesus’ teachings can be made to speak to the world we live in. Lots of “Sunday morning churches” try very hard to do this. The Baileys are trying to do this and I congratulate them and wish them well.

Joe Wooden
Grand Bend

« Previous Page