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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-07-28, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: Pouncs - Pg. 7 Huron East councillors question their representation WEEKEND - Pg. 10 Streetfest, tournament make for busy weekend RESCUE - Pg. 12 Wingham native returns to open horse rescue farm Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 C1t1Z Volume 32 No. 30 n WELCOME TO BINT H $1 .25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, July 28, 2016 Tigers take home Brussels tournament crown Bringing it home, from home The Brussels Tigers have been gracious hosts of the annual Tigers tournament at the Optimist Ball Park for 45 years now. So gracious, in fact, that they've let guests win the tournament for years. That all changed this year, as the home team took the tournament's top spot with a 3-0 victory over the Belmore Stingers in the A -A final. This was the first time a Brussels team won the tournament since the famous Richie's Rockets team that took home the trophy decades ago. Above, the Brussels infield turns a ground ball into a relatively easy out as the second baseman connects with his teammate at first while a Belmore player awaits his turn in the batter's box. (Denny Scott photo) IPM to kick off with procession to Brussels By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The season of the 2017 International Plowing Match (IPM) in Walton is nearly set to begin — and for the first time ever, it will be marked in grand style. When this year's IPM concludes in Wellington County on Sunday, Sept. 25, the committee members from Walton have some plans for an official passing of the flag and a procession from Wellington County to Huron, ending with a special kick- off event at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. For the first time in IPM history, a match's closing ceremonies will include a literal passing of the flag to the next county and its match. Lynne Godkin, secretary of the 2017 IPM and a veteran of several marathons, will then run the flag to the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre for a special kick-off to the IPM's year and gala dinner to benefit the Brussels Fall Fair. The group also hopes to include several local dignitaries including Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb, MPP Lisa Thompson, Warden Paul Gowing and others. She's welcoming plenty of people to join her, whether it's area high school cross-country teams, tractors, cyclists or anyone else who's interested, Godkin is looking for company along the 42 -kilometre trip. Godkin says the idea started as a joke. She heard how close the two sites are and suggested she could run from one to the other. However, once members of the entertainment committee approached her about potentially crafting an event around the idea, it became more real. While she's only just recently been informed how big the event has grown, Godkin says the whole concept is fabulous and that any way to create more interest in the IPM is a positive in her books. Also at the conclusion of the 2016 match, the 2017 IPM committee will unveil its poster. Those involved have been hard at work with Belgrave-area native and co-founder of FauxPop Media Mark Hussey on a poster design. The conclusion of the 2016 match very literally represents a kick-off for the 2017 IPM, as a number of sanctions will then be lifted, including the ability to market and sell IPM 2017 merchandise outside of the county. Many of the IPM's premiere Continued on page 9 `Citizen' on holidays The Citizen's offices in Blyth and Brussels are now closed for the company's annual summer vacation. The offices closed on Wednesday, July 27 and there will be no issue of The Citizen published on Thursday, Aug. 4. The Citizen will return on Thursday, Aug. 11. On Monday, Aug. 8, The Citizen's Blyth and Brussels offices will again open for business at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively. The deadline for the next issue will be at 2 p.m. that day in Brussels and 4 p.m. in Blyth. The Citizen staff wishes its readers, supporters and community members a safe and happy Civic Holiday weekend. By Denny Scott The Citizen The Brussels Tigers made history over the weekend by being the first Brussels Tigers team to ever win the annual Brussels Mens Invitational Fastball Tournament. The tournament, now in its 45th year, was won by Richie's Rockets approximately four decades ago, which marked the last time a Brussels team had won. This year, however, was the first time the Tigers took the 'A -A' final since their inception. "That's a pretty big boast for the team," tournament organizer and Tigers member Shawn Daw said. "They all played so well. They deserved it." Daw attributed the win to everyone hitting well, playing as a team and great pitching as well as the support of the fans. "That's what made the win and what makes the tournament work," he said. "We appreciate all the support from the community because, really, that's what makes it happen. Without the community, it's not going to happen. Most communities don't support an event or beverage tent quite the way this one does." The proceeds from the event go to local minor baseball expenses as well as improvements to aspects of the community that impact the Tigers, like the reconstruction of the baseball diamond in Brussels several years ago to which the Tigers donated $5,000. This year's fundraising total is still being counted. Daw said the funds from the tournament will allow the Tigers to purchase jerseys for all of Brussels Minor Baseball next season. The new jerseys will match the Tigers jerseys. The team will also provide $500 in sponsorship to Trent Michie and Ben Newell for the 2016 Canadian U18 Men's Softball Championships in Saskatoon running Aug. 9-15. As far as the rest of the tournament is concerned, the Sebringville Sting bested the Harwood Corners 7-0 in the A -B Championship Sunday afternoon. Sunday, at mid-day, the Kitchener Selects downed the Stratford Jrs 7-1 in the B -A championship and the Port Stanley Pirates edged out the Walton Brewers 12-5 in the B -B finals. Leading up to the finals, Game 16 saw Brussels best the Melbourne Mile 7-0 on Sunday morning. Fullarton and Sebringville faced off under the lights on Saturday night and Sebringville won the berth in the A -B championships there. Kitchener edged out Goderich earlier on Saturday, earning their spot in the B -A finals and Walton beat out the Straffordville Selects for their shot at the B -B finals.