Harry Stemp April 16, 2009
Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
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Leaskdale on Sunday
Enjoyed a visit to Leaskdale on Easter Sunday morning when members of St. Paul's Leaskdale held their annual Sonrise Service (proper spelling 'Son' meaning the son of God).
Jack Ballinger asked what I was doing early Sunday morning. When I replied “just my usual walk” he convinced me that I would really enjoy a trip to Leaskdale for a church service. Not sure about this, I was ready to balk at the idea when Jack explained that it is outside around campfires and, after watching the sunrise, everyone heads inside for one of those great church breakfasts.
That did it. So we headed north at 6.15 a.m. By the time we arrived many of the close to 350 in the congregation were already standing around the logs which were burning away, not really successful at battling the cold wind.
But Rev. Andrew Allison started strumming his guitar and the crowd enjoyed a hymn singsong and it wasn't long before the welcoming fellowship spread a warm feeling through the crowd.
This being the first time I have visited the large church, fairly new to the Leaskdale landscape, I was in for a pleasant surprise going inside and getting a look at this beautiful facility.
It is more than a church. It is a full-fledged community centre, complete with a large gymnasium that would be the envy of a lot of public facilities and, according to those I talked with, is used to the fullest. No wonder the residents of Leaskdale and surrounding area are so proud of their accomplishment
The ladies of the church had a spread of delicious homemade items that brought back many fond memories of delicious homemade church dinners with my parents.
It was a fun way to kick off Easter Sunday, and I won't have to be talked in to attending next year. I have already marked the date.
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While in Barbados I chatted with a friend from Ottawa and asked what effect the recession was having.
He said, "Recession? Ottawa is a government city. Other than the politicians trying to deal with the problem the average government employee doesn't know the meaning of the word".
As a taxpayer that kind of truth hurts, right?
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In a recent column I mentioned that Barbados still had 'death by hanging' for crimes such as murder. Several readers asked when the last hanging was carried out, so I wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Charles Leacock, a good friend of mine.
Charles replied, “The last execution was in 1984. Two men were executed for raping and killing the 90-year-old grandmother of Prime Minister Tom Adams. No current chance of another one. I am going to The Caribbean Court of Justice in three weeks to argue that the Barbados death penalty is constitutional. Even if I win in Trinidad, no execution is likely!
One of the reasons Charles will be trying to keep the law on the books is not to conduct hangings but, once convicted, the criminal is never eligible for parole. Not like our mamby pamby system where we read of a murderer being given a life sentence - not eligible for parole for 15 years.
That's a life sentence? Give me a break. In some cases the party is in their 20's when convicted. With parole they can be back on the street before the age of 40 and ready, in some instances, to continue a life of crime.
There is a feeling amongst Canadians that the criminal is treated much better than the victim. Not hard to agree with those thoughts.
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Want to have fun this Saturday? If so, give Helen Lee a call at 905-852-6916 and buy a ticket to a fun IODE Card Party to be held in the Uxbridge Legion Hall starting at 12 noon.
No set rules. There will be tables for bridge, euchre and cribbage with prizes in each of the categories. Tickets are only $15, which includes a lovely lunch provided by IODE members. And being the Legion I am sure one can also enjoy a cold one, if desired.
All proceeds go to various charities supported by the IODE, meaning you can have a fun afternoon and help these hard-working ladies help our community. So, choose your game, come alone or put a table of card players together and call Helen right away for tickets.
