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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-12-08, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016. PAGE 9. 14/19 hits half of $14m 5 -year fundraising goal Blyth Arts and Cultural Initative 14/19 Inc. has raised half of its five- year fundraising goal after just two years according to Administrator Karen Stewart. Stewart presented an annual report to North Huron Township Council during its Dec. 5 meeting, outlining the expenses of the project, including the renovation of Memorial Hall, the construction of the Grant and Mildred Sparling Centre which will house the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC) and the development of a rural trust to operate the centre. The total expenses of the project came to $14,050,000 and the organization has raised more than $7 million, hitting its half -way point. Among the additional expenses was the Philips Studio, an ancillary structure owned by the Blyth Festival, which Stewart reported would receive $250,000 thanks to efforts made by 14/19 in working with the province. The studio houses Good deals The annual Huronlea Home for the Aged Christmas craft and bake sale was held on Saturday in Brussels and saw all sorts of great Christmas -themed items and Christmas gifts for sale. Shown are Marta Silva, left, and Maria Frietas checking out some of the fabric goods for sale at the event. (Vicky Bremner photo) WI set to quilt for Canada 150th The November meeting of the Majestic Women's Institute (WI) was held in the community room at the Brussels Library on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 1:30 p.m. As this meeting was about Tweedsmuir, President Yvonne Knight opened the meeting by telling the members about the legacy of Lady Tweedsmuir. Recording history in Tweedsmuir books began in 1880. Yvonne explained how Cranbrook WI had recorded the history of all the farms in the area. The Institute Ode was sung, followed by repeating the Mary Stewart Collect. The minutes of the October meeting were read by secretary Leona Armstrong. Kathy Bridge distributed the newsletter. Correspondence was received from Emma Strome. Leona Armstrong thanked the members for sympathy cards received on the passing of Bob Jewell. Ruth Bauer gave a report on the District Ladies Night in Listowel on Nov. 3. Aleda Shantz sent greetings to the Institute via Lucy Hesse. The roll call was answered by some members handing in their story to be put in the Tweedsmuir book. Hot meals are going to be brought to Brussels each week Tuesdays through to Friday, and volunteers are needed to deliver these meals. If you can help deliver or for information call Grace at 519- 482-9264. The group's Christmas box list was discussed and Yvonne reminded members to bring donations for the boxes to the December meeting. Kathy Bridge will purchase panels for a quilt to be made next year as a project for Canada's 150th anniversary. Tweedsmuir Curator Kathy Bridge outlined the history of the Tweedsmuir books which she had on display at the meeting. Several sections of the books are being worked on. Members were encouraged to update their profiles and bring any important history to be put in the Tweedsmuir books. The Institute Grace was sung and a tasty lunch was served by Lucy Hesse and Marie McCutcheon. Pulling ahead The Blyth Lions Club recently donated $500 to Victim Services of Huron County. Blyth Lions Club President Vicky Bremner is shown here handing the cheque to Victim Services of Huron County Executive Director Debra Logue. (Photo submitted) rehearsals, the Young Company show and will house two non -main stage shows this year. Stewart reported that the Blyth Community Hall is well underway and that the organization worked with the province to direct funds to the Blyth Festival to pay for studio renovations. With those two projects started, 14/19 Inc. has started to focus on the Sparling Centre and the CCRC. As reported in The Citizen, 14/19 has hired award-winning architect Heather Dubbeldam to handle the project. Stewart explained that it was Dubbeldam's green aspirations and recognition through the Professional Prix de Rome Award that made Dubbeldam a front runner for this project. Dubbeldam has recently been on site, Stewart said, and it made for an exciting day as the organization looked towards the centre being shovel -ready in March. New programs to be run at the CCRC were also outlined during the presentation, including a new performing arts program resulting in a community opera show called Double Trap. Stewart explained the show is based on the last hanging in Canada which happened in Goderich and would be led by Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt. The remaining $7 million to be raised was also discussed by Stewart, who said that capital was going to be raised through grants and through naming opportunities at the site. She stated that funding was being sought through the Ministries of Infrastructure and Innovation. Stewart also announced a special meeting set for Jan. 12 in Blyth where the CCRC project would be detailed and information would be available on programs to be held at the centre. To finish the presentation, Stewart announced that the Rural Talks to Rural (R2R) Conference, which brought ruralists from across Canada and beyond Blyth for a conference about the challenges facing rural communities, would be repeated in 2018. "Mark your calendars," she said, presenting a video that highlighted the successes of the 2016 R2R conference. WMS to send 1800 to help missions The November meeting of the Melville Presbyterian Church Guild and WMS was held in the church parlour on Tuesday evening, Nov. 15 with eight members present. The WMS Purpose was repeated in unison to open the meeting. Margaret Mclnroy read "The Tradition of Advent" and the hymn "On Jordan's Bank the Baptists Cry" was sung. Mrs. Mclnroy read the scripture from Matthew 1: 18-25 and Dona Knight read "The Benefit of Christmas" and "Celebrating Advent at Home". The hymn, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" was sung and Mrs. Mclnroy led in prayer to close this part of the meeting. Margaret Mclnroy presided over the business. The minutes of the June meeting were read. It was moved by Mary Douma, seconded by Leona Armstrong that the minutes be adopted as read. Alice Marks gave the Guild treasurer's report and Leona Armstrong gave the WMS treasurer's report. It was moved by Mary Douma, seconded by Leona Armstrong that enough be taken out of the Guild account to make up $800 to send to missions. Dona Knight and Alice Marks volunteered to deliver poinsettias to the shut-ins: It was reported that the mitten tree was held on Nov. 27 and the Community Carol sing will be in the Presbyterian Church on Dec. 11. The roll call was answered with the question, "Do you have or do a special advent activity?" Margaret Mclnroy attended the planning meeting for the annual Maitland Presbyterial meeting on Nov. 23 in Belmore Presbyterian Church. Jeanne Kirkby invited the Guild to her home for the Christmas meeting to be held on Dec. 20. Everyone is to bring items for the food bank. Mary Douma moved to adjourn the meeting and the Mizpah Benediction was repeated in unison. A lovely lunch and a time of fellowship was enjoyed by all. APPOINTMENT DEB SHOLDICE BiH URON PUD MING.C*MFANYWC. Keith Roulston, President and Publisher of North Huron Publishing Company Inc. which publishes The Citizen, The Rural Voice and Stops Along the Way, is pleased to announce the appointment of Deb Sholdice as Associate Publisher. Deb has lived virtually her whole life in Huron County and has a long family and business connection with Blyth. She attended the Business Administration program at Georgian College in Barrie. She worked for Windsor Salt in Goderich as the Office Manager for 10 years and then spent seven years as a Sales Co-ordinator for Seaforth Creamery. For the last decade, she was the General Manager of the Blyth Festival. Deb is an active community volunteer and has worked with local schools, sports organizations, as well as local, provincial and national cultural organizations such as Huron Arts & Heritage Network and Theatre Ontario. She says she is happiest when she is doing dishes or organizing events! She will add to the strong leadership team which publishes The Citizen, chosen the best newspaper in Canada in its circulation class in 2016.