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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-09-01, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: SPORTS - Pg. 8 Raceway to host Knights game watching party Film - Pg. 10 `Drawer Boy' film crew stationed in Belgrave RELEASE - Pg. 11 Cowbell to release second beer Oct. 1 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 4Citiz Volume 32 No. 34 n WELCOME TO BINT H $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, September 1, 2016 Call of the wild The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority held its annual Wawanosh By Moonlight event last week, which encouraged families to get out to the Wawanosh Nature Centre and explore nature after dark, specifically with an ear to connecting with owls and other wildlife. While rain would eventually arrive and cut the evening short, Mathew Shetler, right, took the reins of the event, guiding those in attendance through the centre's trails. (Vicky Bremner photo) Festival recreates historic picture By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt is seeking to recreate history Friday night with a historical photograph to be used in next year's Festival season materials. In brainstorming some ideas for next year's promotional material, both Garratt and Director of Market- ing John McHenry set their sights on a historical photograph which had been used previously for the 1977 Blyth Festival poster, marking the village's centennial year. The picture appeared in The Blyth Standard on June 11, 1903 and featured a large crowd of village residents gathering as a load of farm equipment made its way to Blyth via train. Those familiar with the poster will remember two young girls holding a sign that was altered to read "Blyth, Ontario" when the actual photograph read the name of the farm machinery company. It was Garratt who first said it would be great if the image were to be updated to include many of the familiar faces from today's village of Blyth. The picture is set to be taken on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m., just minutes before the season's closing performance of Garratt's one-man show, The Last Donnelly Standing. This scheduling affords Garratt the opportunity to appear in the photograph both in character and on horseback, as a number of horses appear in the original photograph. Garratt says that in many ways 2016 has been a banner year for the Blyth Festival, and this photograph Continued on page 17 McGavin named Canadian reserve plow champ By Denny Scott The Citizen The McGavin name may have already been synonymous with plowing, but father -son duo Brian and Brandon are doing everything they can to strengthen that bond. Brandon left for Europe earlier this week to compete in the World Ploughing Contest at Crockey Hill near York, North Yorkshire in England. In an interview with The Citizen before departing, Brandon said he was excited for the opportunity, but he was also aware of what a challenge this event could represent. "I'm feeling good," he said. "I'm a little nervous, but in the beginning it was just my dad's goal and my goal to get to the World Championships so I'm pretty proud we accomplished that." Whatever happens at the competition is "icing on the cake" according to Brandon. "I'm up against the best people in the world," he said. "I'm not expecting to win, but if I can be competitive and not embarrass myself, I'll be pumped for that." Brandon set out for England by way of Scotland on Tuesday to pick up a plowing rig that is being leant to him for the championship. "There's a gentleman from Scotland who is going to let me use his rig," he said. "He's not charging me to use it." While he's thankful for being able to use the plow and tractor, Brandon did say that it represents a new challenge for him. "I'm learning new equipment that I've never been on before," he said. "However, it is a pretty economical way to compete." Aside from learning the new equipment, Brandon will also be facing off against foreign soil which he says will be very different from what he has experienced here at home. "We've got to plow a lot deeper than what is normally required in Ontario or Alberta," he said. "It's pretty sandy stuff they say. Obviously England is pretty rainy as well, so there's that to contend with." While Brandon was taking off for the World Ploughing Championship, his father, Brian, was returning triumphant from the Canadian Plowing Match near Ottawa over the weekend, despite an injury. Having fell five points short of first place in the 960 -point contest, Brian was named reserve senior champion at the competition. "It went well," he said. "They put on a great show there and it was a good competition. I guess there were Continued on page 13 `Citizen' closed Sept. 5 The Citizen's offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5 in recognition of Labour Day. The deadlines for the Sept. 8 issue of The Citizen, as a result, will move up to Friday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Brussels office and at 4 p.m. at the Blyth office. The Citizen staff wishes its readers, supporters and community members a safe and happy Labour Day weekend.