HarryDec 17, 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.
It's a small world
?Interesting time to be Canadian and in the U.S. as President Obama is doing everything possible to get the universal health care bill passed by Congress.
For many people it's hard to believe that a world power such as the U.S. is light years behind in universal health care when compared to other smaller countries of the world. And to realize that a serious illness for a U.S. citizen can cause a family to lose everything and throw them into poverty.
Picking up a daily newspaper here one is bombarded by continuous full color, full page ads as well as TV commercials singing the praises of private (and costly) medical facilities looking for customers.
The lobbying that is going on to keep government out of supplying affordable health care for all citizens boggles the mind to say the least. As Canadians, we are constantly being quizzed about the health care system we enjoy in Canada, and we find ourselves contradicting the propaganda that is being disseminated by private interest groups throughout the U.S.
When asked, I explain that I don't profess to be an expert on health care in Canada. And I also know that our system isn't perfect but I can only go by the experiences of my family over the years and that is what I try and pass along to the concerned Americans I meet.
Over the past few years I have had an older brother and a younger sister spend a lot of time in the Ontario health system before eventually losing the fight. They left us but not before the health care people did everything in their power to sustain life.
More recently an older sister suffered a heart attack and in my chats with her she has nothing but praise for the tender care and concern she received while hospitalized.
So it is interesting to see the look of surprise on their faces when we tell our American friends that, although our health system may be not be perfect, we do enjoy the best of health care with the full knowledge that a serious illness will not cause bankruptcy and a loss of everything one has worked for over the years.
Of course we know that big business and powerful lobby groups control the U.S., but most people have faith that President Obama will win his fight to provide affordable health care for all.
We wish him well.
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When traveling I always check into the excellent web site of the Cosmos to keep up with what is happening in my hometown. Good news is what I hope to read, but often items bring a degree of sadness.
Such was the case when I read of the death of a long-time friend, Ron Kester.
Ron and I go way back to our days in Uxbridge High School. Ron was a senior when I arrived on the scene and besides being a top athlete Ron was a big wheel in the Cadet Corps, membership that, at that time, was compulsory for all male students.
I recall many cadet inspections when those in charge would try and whip a bunch of green-behind-the-ears recruits into some kind of respectful regiment leading up to inspection day.
For Ron and I it was instant like, and our friendship carried on when I became Publisher/Editor of the Times-Journal and Ron moved on into public service, first with the Township of Scott and later to pay a pivotal role in joining together Scott Township, Uxbridge Township and the Town of Uxbridge into one regional community.
So when I read about Ron's death there was no small degree of sadness to realize that I had lost another friend and we have lost another wonderful citizen of our community.
I know I am not alone when I say that Uxbridge is a better place because Ron Kester passed through.
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Stopped by my favorite watering hole for happy hour and sat down beside a delightful couple holidaying from Toronto. When I mentioned that I was from Uxbridge they said, “Do you know the Williamson family”?
I assured them I knew the Williamson family well. From Alex right down through the whole clan.
Turned out I was sitting beside Gerry and Maureen Baxter, whose son was a roommate of Todd Williamson in college.
We reminisced a fair amount and I also learned that they are good friends of the new owners of the King Henry Arms on Brock Street.
They assured me that the new pub would be an asset to the business community of Uxbridge, something I was pleased to hear when mentally reviewing the history of that location.
Another item for the 'it's a small world section'.
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Christmas is always a busy and fun time, and I'm not just talking about the family gatherings on the big day.
It is also a time when friends gather together to enjoy this festive time of the year. Having said that, I want to remind all our war veterans that there is a special Christmas afternoon in the clubrooms on Monday, December 21st starting at 2 p.m.
A great opportunity to be with your old buddies, tell a few lies, toss a couple of cold ones and just enjoy an afternoon of fun and fellowship together.
As well should mention that if you are looking for a fun way to say goodbye to 2009 and welcome 2010 there will be a gala New Year's Eve Party at the Legion on December 31 starting at 8 p.m.
You can't beat the price. Only $37.50 per person. If it's like other years, tickets will go in a flash. Get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
