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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-01-08, Page 1CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, January 8, 2015 Volume 31 No. 1 REVIEW - Pg. 9 ‘The Citizen’ looks back on 2014 GRANT - Pg. 3 Blyth Legion receives federal grant Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0 INSIDE THIS WEEK: Lions enter anniversary year Auld Lang Syne A kilted Part II Bistro owner and Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) Chair Peter Gusso, left, was on hand at the BIA’s New Year’s Eve dance shortly after the countdown to lead everyone, alongside the night’s entertainment, Mostly Sideways, in singing “Auld Lang Syne” to welcome 2015. The dance, that was held at Memorial Hall, was preceeded by a special children’s event including games, crafts and snacks. Gusso says he hopes the event will become annual. (Denny Scott photo) Huron County 4-H hands out awards The Lions Christmas Dinner held in the hall of the Blyth and District Community Centre last month marked the 40th anniversary of the annual event. Former Lions Club President John Stewart said that the event went well, with 180 people attending, which is up from last year, but in the range of what the organization has come to expect of the meal over the past four decades. “We aim for 200, and we cut it off there,” he said. “The capacity of the hall is more than that, but if you get too many it can be uncomfortable. We seem to usually run between the 160 and 190 range every year.” The event was inspired by the organization looking for a fundraiser to help generate more money for the nearly 70-year-old club and, at the beginning, it was a fairly popular event. “We were looking for other ways we could fundraise,” he said. “This was an idea that we came out with and it started very successfully.” For the first decade or so that the event ran, Stewart said that the Lions hosted two dinners. “There were enough groups and businesses in town that it required two separate nights,” he said. “Due to some of the local businesses closing, however, or reducing staff, we found that one night was adequate.” Despite that early drop to one meal, the event still remains in the top three for the group’s community fundraisers. “It’s a major fundraiser, but our biggest fundraiser by far is the [annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association],” Stewart said. “The next one is the CKNX Barn Dance and this would be third in line.” All that fundraising goes back into the community, Stewart said. “Our major expense is the Lions’ Park, but we support many other initiatives in one way or another,” he said. “The money that is raised in the community is returned to the community.” The meal, which has been held in the same room since its inception, features a tried-and-true menu, according to Stewart, that hasn’t seen a lot of changes over the years. “We always have roast beef and one other meat,” he said. “We alternate between ham and turkey.” The event is organized and run by Lions Club members, their spouses, some community volunteers and younger volunteers. This year, for what Stewart said he believed is the first time, the More than 200 people turned out for the Huron County 4-H Award Program held at the Seaforth Agriplex on Nov. 16 that saw local youth awarded for their involvement in their organization. Volunteers with the 4-H program were also recognized by the over 80 awards that were handed out over the course of the event. Reba Jefferson received the Murray Cardiff Award for top all- round member in the county. The Don Pullen Award, for highest overall score in the county was presented to Cole MacPherson. The Warden’s Novice Award for highest first year competitive member score was presented to Matthew Recoskie. Maitland Higgins was presented the Ben Lobb Award, which is presented for the best essay by a junior member. The Dedication Award was presented to Jolande Oudshoorn. Adrian Franken received the Ontario Plowmen’s Association Award for being the 4-H member who demonstrated outstanding agricultural knowledge. The Signal-Star Publishing Award was presented to Maisy Jefferson for the press reporter book competition. The Huron County 4-H Competition award, presented for the club secretary book competition, was presented to, in order of finishing: Reba Jefferson, Janette Plaetzer and Emily Pennington. The winning team for the county Go For The Gold Competition included Sarah Hendricks, Taylor Kinsman, Evan Krebs and Hannah Krebs. Recognition awards were given to volunteers for their aid in making the 4-H program a success in Huron County including Walton-area farmer Don Dodds, who was honoured for his 55 years with the organization. Barb Storey was recognized for her 20 years with the organization while Florence Pullen was awarded for her 35 years of volunteering with the 4-H organization. Lindsey De Vries, Henry Grobbink, Melissa Veldman (Sparling) and Reg Vinnicombe received their five-year volunteer recognition award. Recipients of the first-year volunteer awards were: Gayl Creutzberg, Darcey Garniss, Angela Gerretsen, Krista Hoegy, Denise Iszczuk, Patricia Kell, Kendra McNay, Linda Millar, Jolande Oudshoorn and Angela Wilken. The Brussels Agri Services Award, given to the Champion Beef showperson at the Seaforth Fair, was awarded to Cole MacPherson as was the Lawrence Beane Financial Award for high senior beef at the Seaforth Fair. The Home Town Custom Builders Award, given to the top intermediate showperson at the Seaforth Fair, was given to Melissa MacIntyre. Michaela Rodger was named the Champion Junior Beef showperson at the Seaforth Fair and received the Maple Ridge Beef Farm Award for that win. The W.J. (Bill) Sproul Memorial Award, given to the top beef group of three at the Seaforth Fair, was presented to the Lucknow Beef Club consisting of Tyler Murray, Brad MacIntyre and Melissa MacIntyre. The Huron County Beef Producers Association Award, given to the top novice beef member, was presented to Emily Bieman. Cole MacPherson also received the Stan Jackson Memorial Section 1 Award for being the 4-H Beef member with the highest total score in the county. The second section of the Stan Jackson Memorial Award consists of prize money for the 4-H Championship Beef Show at the Seaforth Fall Fair and was given to the following recipients: Mason Weber for grand champion steer, Connor Rodger for reserve champion steer, Cole MacPherson for third-place steer, Tyler MacPherson for fourth-place steer, Melissa MacIntyre for grand champion Heifer, Brock Weber for reserve champion Heifer, Michaela Rodger for third place heifer and Brad MacIntyre for fourth-place heifer. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Award, given to the highest scoring member of a 4-H Dairy Club, was awarded to Allana Beuermann. The A Member of Orr Insurance and Investment Group Award, presented to the champion 4-H dairy calf owner at the Seaforth Fair, was awarded to Adrian Franken. Emily Franken received the Auburn Co-op Trophy, which is presented to the owner of the reserve champion 4-H dairy calf at the Seaforth Fair. Emily also received the D&D Glass Award which is given to the Reserve Champion 4-H Dairy showperson at the Seaforth Fair. The Huron Bay Co-op Award, which is given to the Champion 4-H Dairy showperson, was awarded to Johnny Franken. The ScotiaBank Award showperson, given to the top novice dairy showperson at the Seaforth Fair, was presented to Marissa VanderPloeg. The Huron Holstein Awards, given to the people who raised the highest scoring Holstein calf, went to The Citizen Celebrating 30 Years 1985~2015 By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 6 By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 19