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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-04-13, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017. PAGE 15. Countdown to IPM Walton is deserving of 2017 IPM says Craig A tasty patchwork One of the most talked -about attractions at the 1999 International Plowing Match in Dashwood, still to this day, was a commodity mosaic constructed specially for the match in the manner of a quilt. Graeme Craig of Walton was the chair for that match. Later in his career he would go on to serve as president of the Ontario Plowmen's Association in 2008 and now as the Ontario representative on the Canadian Plowing Organization. (File photo) Continued from page 14 first time," Craig said. When the time came for Huron County to host the match in 1999, Craig said he was more than willing to put his name forward and lead. However, he said he had a great team around him that he knew would be able to pull off hosting the match. Without them, he said, it wouldn't have been possible. Now, he said, he's looking forward to the IPM coming to Walton. It's a great community that deserves to host a match of this size, he said, and the people will be fantastic hosts. "It's important for a lot of these small communities to feel like they're part of something this big and this good," Craig said. "It's good for the people of Walton to get a little different look at life through the IPM" It was Craig, however, who first pitched the idea of hosting the 2017 IPM. He knew it would be the 100th match and that it happened to fall on Canada's sesquicentennial and felt it would be a fitting celebration in a community that has meant so much to competitive plowing and agriculture over the years. For this year's match, though he has been involved since its inception, Craig has taken a bit of a step back, which he said has been refreshing compared to his level of commitment in past years. For this year's IPM he is one of the major fundraisers, which is a challenge, but nothing like chairing the match. His work began at home, in a way, when he and Helen and their daughter Shannon, along with her insurance business, co-sponsored the purchase of the 2017 IPM merchandise truck that has been travelling around the county in recent months. "Graeme is connected to resourceful people from different involvements over the course of his life which have allowed them the opportunity to meet and get to know people," says Jacquie Bishop, chair of the 2017 IPM. "This is a very important part of who he is." Craig's connections run deeper Travelling the county Graeme Craig and his daugher Shannon are seen here with the trailer that they co-sponsored for the 2017 International Plowing Match in Walton. It will bring match souvenirs up and down the county. (photo submitted) Book Your Ad Now for the 2017 IPM Issue Distributed to all homes in Huron County and western Perth County (through Canada Post) plus all campers staying at the Match RV site, with copies available for match goers to pick up - 35,000 copies in total Call The Citizen 519-523-4792 or contact sales representatives Brenda Nyveld & Heather Fraser e-mail: ads@northhuron.on.ca than the Huron County community, Bishop said, and expand through the province and even the country thanks to his decades in the world of competitive plowing. Bishop served as the secretary for the Huron County exhibit at the 1999 match, working under Allan Carter, who was the chair. Bishop says that she and the rest of her family moved to the match for the week to ensure they could give it their all at the IPM. One of the highlights from the tent, Bishop says, was a 40 -foot commodity display by Glen and Vanda McNeil and Lorilie Marshall, who designed it. It brought together produce and beans produced in Huron County to create a quilt -like design that Bishop says is still remembered today. Craig has kept busy in the world of competitive plowing in various capacities over the years. After being a chair at the Huron level, Craig would go on to serve as a director with the Ontario Plowmen's Association in 2003 after fellow Walton resident Neil McGavin retired from the post. He would then serve on the executive two years later in 2005. Craig would work his way up through the ranks to become president of the Ontario Plowmen's Association in 2008, overseeing the IPM held on the McKague farm near Teeswater in Bruce County. His work at the head of the provincial association, Craig said, was mainly to direct traffic and ensure that the match went off without a hitch. In 2011 Craig was honoured with a special award for 50 years with the organization. He continues to be involved with the organization and has recently been appointed the Ontario Plowmen's Association representative with the Canadian Plowing Organization. Craig says he finds the work both interesting and challenging. Some provincial organizations don't even have representation at the national level and have a long way to go. It's at this level, he says, that one can really see how lucky Ontario is in the world of competitive plowing and the dedication of its participants over the years match after match. Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Join Our Board of Directors! A voluntary Alliance formed in 2003, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) operates as one system with four sites - Clinton Public Hospital, St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Seaforth Community Hospital and Stratford General Hospital. The Alliance consists of a single Board, Administration and Staff, separate Foundations and Auxiliaries, with an operating budget of approximately $130 million. The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Board of Directors is recruiting for a Governor to serve on our Board from the catchment area served by the Seaforth Community Hospital Comprised of dedicated volunteers, the HPHA Board of Directors is charged with the duty of managing the affairs of the organization, aligned with HPHA's Mission, Vision, Values and Guiding Principles. Individuals interested in pursuing this volunteer opportunity are encouraged to visit the HPHA Website (www.hpha.ca) and attend the Information Session listed below. Information packages and application forms will be available at the Information Session. Applications are also available on our website. HURON PERTH HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE Information Session Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 7:00 pm Seaforth Community Hospital: Conference Room (Lower Level) Please RSVP to Sue Davey: 519-272-8205 or susan.davey@hpha.ca www.hpha.ca Ine @hpha_news