HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-11-16, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017.
Balikers, Riddell honoured at HCFA annual
Passing it on
The Huron County Award for Outstanding Contributions to Agriculture in Huron County was
presented to volunteer -oriented couple, Margaret and Marinus Bakker of Auburn (right) for
serving countless years on the Huron County Federation of Agriculture (HCFA) and in
community organizations ranging from the Auburn and District Lions Club to Camp
Menesetung. Presenting the award was (left to right) HCFA President Erica Murray, HCFA
Past -President Joan Vincent and North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent. The award was presented
at the HCFA annual meeting late last month in Holmesville. Former Ontario Minister of
Agriculture, Jack Riddell of Exeter, was also presented with a plaque that night that will be
hung in the Huron County Museum naming him into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. He
spoke to the crowd that night and received a standing ovation for the work he did on behalf of
farmers. Riddell was presented the award by current HCFA president, Erica Murray. (Lisa e.. Pot
photo)
By Lisa B. Pot
Special to The Citizen
Saying he was the one blessed to
have had a career working with and
for farmers, former Minister of
Agriculture Jack Riddell of Exeter
graciously accepted a plaque for
being inducted into the Ontario
Agricultural Hall of Fame from
Huron County Federation of
Agriculture (HCFA) President, Erica
Murray.
"It has been a real pleasure for me
to spend as much time as I did with
the agricultural community," said
Riddell at the HCFA's annual
meeting held late last month in
Holmesville. "You are all friends. I
can't think of a better group of
people to be associated with."
His speech was met with a
standing ovation of appreciation for
the man who served first as Huron -
Middlesex MPP then Huron -Bruce
MPP in the 1970s and 1980s. He
was named the Ontario Minister of
Agriculture in 1985 and served for
four years during a difficult period
for agriculture. Riddell was involved
in creating over 30 programs to
support the agriculture industry and
NH to continue its
annual tree program
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
The North Huron tree -planting
program will continue this year with
municipal staff reviewing it to
determine its usefulnesss going
forward.
In a recommendation to council
during its Nov. 6 meeting,
Director of Recreation and Facilities
Pat Newson encouraged council
to suspend the program for 2018
to allow staff to review it for
2019, however East Wawanosh's
representation on council didn't
agree.
The program makes trees
available to residents of North
Huron at no cost to encourage their
planting.
Newson explained that, if the
program was to go forward, the trees
would need to be ordered
immediately and, in previous years,
the program hasn't had adequate
uptake.
"A lot of the trees aren't claimed,"
she said. "We plant the leftover ones
at the cemetery and can pull them up
and plant them if necessary
[throughout the municipality]."
Newson said other municipalities
charge either the full or partial cost
of the tree back to the resident,
which she would support, because it
would encourage residents to pick
the trees up instead of reserving
Continued on page 19
was a respected voice for the
industry.
"My dad has a plaque hanging in
the hall of fame in Middlesex
County and with mine now hanging
in the Huron County Museum, I feel
kind of an equal with my father,"
added Riddell.
Also honoured at the HCFA
annual meeting were the volunteer -
oriented couple of Marinus and
Margaret Bakker of Auburn with an
extensive list of volunteer
associations ranging from president
of the HCFA, to charter member of
the Lions, to director on Farm and
Food Care to working at this year's
International Plowing Match. They
were given the HCFA Outstanding
Contribution to Agriculture Award.
The couple had no idea and were
completely surprised and honoured
by the award. They had been curious
when their two daughters travelled
back home to attend the meeting
with them but didn't realize it was
because they were being honoured.
"I gave that award when I was
president of the HCFA but I never
expected to receive it," said Marinus.
Margaret said, "it was quite an
honour and we were quite
surprised." Volunteering has become
a way of life for the couple, with
Margaret active with Camp
Menesetung and Friends of the
Huron County Museum.
"It sort of grows," she said.
"We find it really rewarding and a
chance to give back to the
community. Plus, when you
volunteer you get to learn things,
meet great people and get involved
in interesting projects."
The couple dairy farmed most of
their careers, continuing the
tradition Marinus' parents began in
1952 outside of Auburn. They sold
the cows in 2006 and currently cash
crop.
The HCFA has an active volunteer
base and was commended for
attracting a wide range of age groups
to serve at the board level.
"It's good to see all the younger
people taking part. It's good for the
organization and it's good for
agriculture," said Bev Hill of Varna,
himself a committed volunteer and
former president of the HCFA.
Marinus agreed. "Huron County
has the ability to get younger people
and it's our job to mentor them and
encourage them," he said.
Guest speaker for the evening was
Arnold Mathers, a former principal
and now the author of short stories
reflecting on his childhood growing
up on a farm. Over 65 of his stories
have been featured in The Rural
Voice magazine. He splits his time
between Exeter and Florida with
his wife, Ila, and says his goal
when speaking is to make people
laugh.
"I can't sing and dance, but I like
to write and tell stories. I write to
preserve the past and I like to
entertain," said Mathers. He
originally wrote to entertain his
grandchildren with stories of "the
good old days." It was his mother
who suggested he compile the
stories in a book for posterity. That
suggestion became a reality with the
publication of Homemade and Hand
Me Downs, Mathers' collection of
short stories.
Following the award presentations
and Mathers' talk, elections were
held for the HCFA board. President
Erica Murray was acclaimed as
president, as was Ethan Wallace to
the vice-president position and Mike
Colclough as second vice-president.
Paul Klopp, Joan Vincent and Adam
Garniss were named Directors at
Large. Bev Hill was thanked for
his many years of service on the
board.
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