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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-04-13, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017. Countdown to IsI Craig's credentials span province, country Quite the collection Graeme Craig and his wife Helen have been in the competitive plowing game for a long time. Graeme has even attended every Huron County match in one way or another and has been a helping hand in many associations along the way, including the Huron Plowmen's Association, the Ontario Plowmen's Association and now the national association. The pair is seen here with Graeme's 50 -year award from the Ontario Plowmen's Association and Graeme's senator plaque for this year's International Plowing Match in Walton. (Denny Scott photo) By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The September, Huron County will play host to the 100th International Plowing Match in Walton. The last time Huron County hosted the match was in 1999. It is historically referred to as the "Dust Match" and Walton's Graeme Craig was the man who led the county's charge in hosting it. Craig first got involved in the world of competitive plowing over a half -century ago. He says it was by accident, but it's a love affair that's persisted for 56 years now since he first got behind the wheel of that small Ford two -furrow tractor. It was local plowing pioneer and champion Gordon McGavin who first introduced Craig to the plowing match world. Craig was a young man at the time and had been hanging around the match when McGavin suggested that Craig may as well give it a try. The next year, Craig began competitive plowing under the tutelage of Campbell Wey, who lived in Walton at the time. Wey passed away last year in his 94th year. Craig found some success in the Junior circuit and continued to compete for a number of years. However, as he grew older, he found that his true talent was in coaching. He would coach a number of locals who would eventually go on to have provincial national and even international success like Brandon and Jacob McGavin. Craig, however, says that while he did work with the McGavin boys among others, he worked with them when they were just getting started. When it became clear they were genuine talents in the field, they began working with other coaches who would lead them to victory at the Huron County Plowing Match, the International Plowing Match and, in Brandon's case, the Canadian Plowing Match and the World Plowing Match. Coaching became a passion for Craig. He said that Huron County, specifically Walton, has a rich Plowman's corner The Craigs are a staple at Canadian Plowing Matches and in 2015 encountered a Canadian celebrity along their travels. Graeme and his son Michael are seen here with CBC hockey analyst Don Cherry at the 2015 match on Wolfe Island. (Photo submitted) history of fostering youth to becoming successful, especially in the realm of competitive plowing. Whether it's through 4-H clubs or through older members of the community passing their knowledge down to its younger members, there has always been a positive teaching culture in the community. Craig said he always liked working with young people and his time coaching the youth of the community is something he'll always cherish. Where Craig would really have an impact on the world of competitive plowing, however, was on the administrative side. After years of being involved in local plowing matches at various levels, Craig became the secretary/treasurer of the Huron Plowmen's Association in 1979. He would stay at that post for over 10 years. Craig jokes that he has yet to miss an IPM that has been hosted in Huron County. His mother assured Craig that while he may not remember it, he attended the "Victory Match" in 1946 at the Port Albert airfield. He would be born just a few months later. Craig's wife Helen and her parents Gordon and Sarah Elliott would be among the many families that donated their land to the 1966 match, which was held on the Scott farm near Seaforth. Craig would attend that match as a young man. When the match was held on the Armstrong farm near Wingham in 1978, Craig served as the head of the Queen of the Furrow committee. In 1999 he was the chair of the match, which was held in Dashwood and he does not intend to miss the 2017 match, which will be held in his home community of Walton — a community with so much history in the world of competitive plowing in Ontario. Craig's family history in Walton is not new. The farm on which he and Helen currently live and have raised a family has been in Craig's family since 1867 on his mother's side. Craig's family on his father's side comes from Morris Township, but his father grew up in Blyth. He ventured Walton way to work on a farm tended by three women who needed help on the farm and he would eventually find his wife and make his way to Walton where they would start a life together. Over the years, Craig said he hasn't moved much, as he grew up on the farm on which he and Helen currently live. He has been a life- long resident of Walton and knows the community well. Over the years he has been involved in the local church, local politics and the insurance community, as well as competitive plowing. Craig says that when he attended the first IPM he remembers, when he was in his teens, it was a real eye- opener. "It's like growing up in Walton and then going to Toronto for the Continued on page 15 STILL RUNNING OUT TO FETCH THE PAPER? 1.24.4._ Having a subscription to The Citizen saves you money Newsstand price - $1.25/week Subscription price - 72¢/week Save up to $2650 a year off newsstand price Yes - I want to save money. Enclosed is $36.00 for a 1 -year subscription Name Address Town Postal Code On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca Mail cheque & coupon to: P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0