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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-09-15, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016. 55th reunion deemed another great weekend HURON PIONEER THRESHER & HOBBY ASSNIINC. SINCE 1961 1ST WEEKEND AFTER LABOUR RESHERS LANE A stepping tradition The step dancing competition at the annual Thresher Reunion is always one of the weekend's more popular attractions. Here, Julie McEvoy of Stratford, who placed second in the nine -and - under category, performs her routine on the Shed 3 stage. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Continued from page 1 and Maxine Sears. Keith Wilbee of Walton won the best restored antique vehicle award for his 1959 Chevy Impala two -door coupe. The Clinton Auto Parts Pre-war Best Restored Car Award went to Gordon Brindley and family of Lucknow for their 1925 Ford Model T. The best restored post-war car belonged to Betty and Eric Miller of Nile, with their 1962 Studebaker Turismo Hawk. Roy and Marion Taylor of St. Augustine won the best restored antique vehicle for their 1967 Dodge Coronet 500. Hendriks said the working displays were well represented and well attended and there were over 30 participants in the kids' tractor pull. "The craft spaces in the [Blyth and District Community centre] sold out and the flea market was full," he said. "Sunday and Friday were both beautiful and the kids from the school had fun." Lantinga agreed with Hendriks, saying the craft venue was well maintained by Laura McDonald, a new chair for the association. Lantinga also pointed out that McDonald wasn't the only new chair as the Lifestyle program was run by Lorna Fraser of Blyth and the student program was run by Jim and Lorraine Hallahan, also of Blyth. Students from Hullett Central Public School Grades 2 to 8 attended the event and the Hallahans said the students were polite and asked good questions. The Huron County Junior Farmers took on the petting zoo this year and Lantinga said the group did a great job for their first attempt, entertaining many young visitors. Another new attraction was the antique potato picker that was in action near the amphitheatre at the northwest corner of the grounds. Herman Mooy, a Blyth resident, was working on a plot of potato plants throughout the dry season to make sure his McCormick Deering 1928 vintage potato picker had something to be demonstrated on. Mooy explained to The Citizen that the picker was originally drawn by four horses and was retrofitted to be used with a small tractor. He has had the Michigan -built device for four years and unveiled it at this year's reunion which was fitting as Church seeks choir director The Elementary School Fair has been part of our community for almost 100 years. The fair began in 1920 and is the only remaining fair open to exhibits and school work created by our local students. In 1920 the fair included students from nine schools across Morris and East Wawanosh Townships. Over the next few years more schools from East Wawanosh and Turnberry joined the fair. At one point, 21 schools were participating. A number of buildings in Belgrave such as the Women's Institute Hall, Orange Hall and local churches were used to house the students' entries, which included everything from cross-stitch and milk stool building to home churned butter. Some of the special competitions held were hitching a horse to a buggy, public speaking, music and class marching. Today marching into the fairgrounds is still a major part of the day and the winning grades are awarded with special prizes. In 1967, local one -room schoolhouses were closed and amalgamated into the Blyth, Brussels and East Wawanosh Public Schools. It was feared that this change may be the end of the fair, but a small group of people rallied together and ensured the fair continued. In 2012 with another amalgamation and a transition to the Maitland River Elementary School, a new group came together and with the continued support of the community and our amazing students, the Elementary School Fair will carry on strong for many more years. This year will see further changes as the students of Sacred Heart School join the fair. The eligibility to participate has also been further expanded to include all elementary students from North Huron and Morris-Turnberry. Thanks for everyone's participation and support. A special thanks and blessing to all who participated in the Special Olympic Picnic held at Ruth Alton's home on Aug. 24. It was a blast and a lot of fun was had by all. The highlight was of course the meal and the friendship we shared. Proceeds went towards student minister Brian Hymers' education fund. Many thanks to all who participated and donated towards the cause. Special thanks to Ruth and her family for all the work they do tirelessly towards the Mission and Service of the three churches. Knox United Church's anniversary service is on Sunday, Sept. 18 with guest speaker Pat Benaway with potluck lunch (finger foods) following the service. Everyone is welcome. An organist and choir director is needed at Knox United Church. Due to health reasons Ann Clark has decided to resign. We thank her for her dedication and sharing her musical talents with us. We will truly miss her gift of music. Please contact Kim Walker (519-357-3237) if you are interested or know anyone who would be interested in this position. the McCormick Deering brand is part of International Harvester, the feature tractor brand for the reunion. Several students were on hand to help pick up the potatoes unearthed by the antique machine. Hendriks said the event is proof of what can happen with dedicated volunteers and thanked everyone involved from the committee chairs, the executives and all other volunteers for making the event happen. As far as the entertainment competition, the fiddle competition welcomed 31 contestants in total. The 70 -years -old and over class was won by Ken Cook of Dorchester with Ralph Cadotte of Wiarton and Marg DeLong of St. Marys earning second and third places, respectively. The 50 -years -old and over class was won by Ken Hawkins of Teeswater with Al Widmeyer of Kitchener second and Ron Howatt of Brussels third. The 19 to 49 category was won by Sabrina Rankin of Sarnia with Melika Lemelin of Hanmer second and Will Wright of Westmount Rose taking third place. Naomi Rosedale of Ilderton earned top spot in the 18 -years -old and under bracket with Jeffrey Meier of Richmond second and Kaitlyn Wright of Westmount Rose third. Kelly Guy of Stratford won the 12 -years -old and under competition with Sophia Rosedale of Ilderton coming second and Mary Sabourin of Wingham earning a third-place finish. Naomi and Sophia Rosedale of Ilderton took first place in the duet class. The open class saw Alanna Jenish of Oshawa win with Ashley Giles of Kitchener taking second and Miller Lake's Brooklyn Hewton coming third. The competition was judged by Ian Hamilton and Paul Lemelin and featured special draw winner Kelly Guy. The youngest fiddler on the grounds was Kianna Lehmann of Auburn and oldest was Alex Aldcorn of Badjeros. The step dance competition FROM BELGRAVE welcomed 13 dancers and three groups to the stage on Sunday. Stratford's Kensington Ische won the 9 -years -old and under category, topping Julie McEvoy of Stratford and Ethan Rosedale of Ilderton. Leo Stock and Anna Tigani of Stratford took first and second place, respectively, in the 12 -years -old and under competition with local step dancer Alycia Coultes coming in third. The 18 -years -old and under category saw Jeffrey Meier of Richmond take first place with Clara Roth of Tavistock and Stratford's Louisa Mueller earning second and third place finishes. Azilda's Sarah Johnston took the 19 -years -old and over category with Melika Lemelin of Hanmer coming in second place. Katie Paradis of Milverton won the open class with Sophia Rosedale of Ilderton coming second. The junior group trophy was taken by ElectriCALL StoRM of Stratford with the Stratford Step Sisters taking second place. The open group class was won by The Fab Three from Sudbury. Judges for the competition were Kelsey Mighton and Devan Ballagh. The youngest step dancer was Kensington Ische. CUSTOM MANURE SPREADING with a truck tank and draghose system and CUSTOM SILAGE HAULING d A.J. 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