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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-12-15, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016. PAGE 9. Tracing the history of Presbyterian Church, manse the years since it was the fence is long gone. and Cheryl Wheeler former manse. a manse and Now Murray live in this Looking back Prior to Union, Londesborough had both a Knox Presbyterian Church and a United Church. Above is the latter along with the manse that housed the clergy that served the church. While the church is long gone, the PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 The two buildings in this picture are obviously connected. The congregation of Knox Presbyterian Church of Londesborough purchased the lot for this frame church, the building on the left, back in March of 1876. Worshippers held services there until the session of this Presbyterian Church agreed to unite with the session of the Londesborough manse still exists, though renovations have made it look different than it once had. Currently, the home that was the manse houses the Wheelers. The land that used to house the church now holds the home that Shawn Reinink lives in. (Photo submitted) Methodist Church. This is remembered as `Union' in the present day United Churches of Canada. The pastor of the Presbyterian Church at the time was Rev. J.C. Foster. He resigned his charge and moved on. The church was torn down and eventually Beth Knox put a mobile home on the lot. Shawn Reinink Seniors club celebrates 25 years In July of 1981, a group of like- minded persons gathered to discuss the formation of a seniors club in Londesborough. There was a great deal of interest and the first meeting was called for August. The Hullett Township Recreation Committee was agreeable to the group using the Community Hall for their meetings. Initially, the group met on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the afternoon. The business part of the gathering was followed by a short program and then the folks played cards and enjoyed lunch before heading home. Executive members that first year were President Jean Scott and Secretary Isabel Scanlon. Fifty-two people paid sign-up dues. It was decided to collect 50 cents each meeting to cover the cost of card prizes, greeting cards for members and miscellaneous expenses. Each meeting different persons assumed charge of arranging a program and supplying lunch. Average attendance at each meeting was about 22. A contest was held among the members to determine a name for the group. It was Beth Knox who submitted the title, Happy Gang Seniors. In 1983, the seniors changed to one meeting on the last Wednesday of the month. Eventually meetings began with a noon potluck meal which included a birthday cake. Every November, the Happy Gang Seniors held a Christmas party to which many non-members of the community were invited. This meal was catered by the Women's Institute in the early years and later by the Londesborough UCW. Some hall users will remember the shuffle board courts the Happy Gang group had painted on the hall floor for their entertainment. Speakers throughout the years brought information to the members about issues peculiar to senior persons — health, safety, scams, conservation, etc. Other times the members were entertained by musical groups. In an effort to keep the seniors in touch with younger generations, school children often entertained with songs, dancing and speeches. The Happy Gang Seniors entertained and were entertained by senior groups from Blyth and Clinton throughout the years. Some of the group took part in the annual Seniors' Games organized by the Senior Citizens of Ontario. Other members will recall bus trips, organized very often by Reta Kelland, to Royal Winter Fair, Toronto, the CBC Studios in Toronto for the show, Front Page Challenge, riverboat cruises, Christmas lights, etc. The Senior Citizens of Ontario offer small groups like the Happy Gang Seniors information pertinent to their age group. The Senior Citizens of Ontario lobby the government for changes that affect/benefit the province's most elderly persons. When the Lions Club took over the operation of the hall, the seniors paid to use the building for their meetings. For a number of years the group held card parties for folk in the area on the first Friday evening of each month to raise funds. For many years the Happy Gang Seniors gave two awards to graduating students from Hullett Central Public School. Donations were made by the seniors to other worthwhile causes each fall also. Fast forward 35 years and in the fall of 2016 the small number of remaining members decided to disband. Their last gathering was their annual Christmas meal. At that meeting they emptied their bank account through donations to area hospitals, the Londesborough United Church and the Huron County Christmas Bureau. Longtime members found it a bittersweet day. Records for the 35 years are stored now upstairs in the Community Hall. No one has a definitive answer as to why membership fell off for the seniors' group other than changes in society see seniors more active in many other areas in today's world. Merry Christmas everyone. I am enjoying being a part of The Citizen. No service on Christmas Day in Londesboro Rev. Terry Fletcher lit the third candle of Advent at Londesborough United Church on Sunday, Dec. 11, the candle of joy. As Londesborough United will not be holding a service on Christmas Day, next Sunday, the Dec. 19, will be the Christmas Sunday service. The Christmas Eve service will begin at 7 p.m. See photos S\ from the )Brussels Santa Claus Parade on our website at www.northhuron.on.ca lives in that home now. I can remember when Wayne Potter tore down the shed in the rear that must have housed the horses and carriages on a Sunday morning. The building on the right was the church manse If you have lived in the village long enough you can identify some of the features that remain on that house yet. The house has undergone some renovations in FROM LONDESBORO Get wedding advice and tips, see a case study and read about local brides on the Brides in Huron section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca Laundromat Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687 -b 1 53a1 iet, at the ijea't 2016 COMMEMORATE THE NEWEST FAMILY MEMBER'S 1ST NEW YEAR Join the gallery of faces in The Citizen's baby photo display January 19, 2017 Send or bring a picture of your little one born in 2016 along with a writeup which includes full name, birth date and parents' names, to be featured in The Citizen's Gallery of Faces on January 19, 2017, for only $20.00 (HST included). Please send picture (with name on back), along with a cheque, to The Citizen prior to January 13. Photos may be picked up after January 19. THIS MUST BE PRE -PAID. - Sample - Mary Elizabeth Smith May 18 daughter of Mike & Laura Smith Please Complete Baby's Full Name Son Daughter Birth Date Parents' Names $20.00 Enclosed DEADLINE - January 13 2 pm in Brussels • 4 pm in Blyth P 1 O --