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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-06-04, Page 2THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015. PAGE 3. Hallahan named ambassador for AORS trade show Blyth resident Joe Hallahan has been selected as the ambassador for the annual Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) Public Works Trade show held in Exeter this week. The show brings together municipal employees, suppliers, and the public and offers a chance for public works employees from across Ontario to see what is new and to communicate with each other face- to-face. The event, which spans multiple buildings near the Exeter Community Centre, runs June 3-4. Hallahan said it was a privilege and honour to be named the ambassador. “It came as a surprise, that’s for sure,” he said. “I was just picked for the role. My wife encouraged me to do it, so I wanted to honour her wishes and be the ambassador.” Hallahan is a natural choice for the position given his extensive history with AORS and his own experience in running events like the annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association. “I know the history of the group,” he said. “I was involved with AORS in 1986 when it all started and I helped with the trade show when it was hosted in Seaforth in 1997.” Hallahan said he’s happy to be the ambassador and help with the event because he knows that it requires a lot of effort. The effort is well worth it, Hallahan said, because of the amount of traffic it brings to the community. “It’s good for Huron County,” he said. “It brings people from all over Ontario here.” He said the event has really blossomed into something great. The last event, which was held in Ottawa, brought out many visitors but also proved a great place for Hallahan to be prior to the Exeter event. “We probably sold 60 to 70 per cent of our booths for this year, just being at the show last year,” he said a week before the show. “We’re pretty much sold out now, and we’ve had to expand into a new building.” Hallahan said he was happy that Exeter was chosen as the site for the event because, much like the International Plowing Match set to be held outside of Walton in 2017, there is competition for hosting. “You have to put your name in and bid for it,” he said. “You work on it for a year or more and, then, when the event is happening, all the municipalities around need to help with it.” Despite the fact that South Huron is hosting the event, volunteers in the form of township employees are coming from all over the county including North Huron. “It takes a real commitment from those municipalities to make this work,” he said. “They all need to kick in.” Everyone in the area also benefits from the event, according to Hallahan, who said that part of his job as ambassador is to make the area as inviting as possible. “We promote local as much as we can,” he said. “The motels and hotels around here are all filled up for the weekend because we wanted to keep people in Huron County.” The show isn’t just about talking shop either according to Hallahan. “We’re holding a golf tournament at the Ironwood Golf Club,” he said. “Wednesday night we have a banquet for the suppliers. It’s a big barbecue right on site.” The event is completely open to the public as well, according to Hallahan. “That’s what we want is people to come and see the work put in and the equipment we use,” he said. “It’s open to farmers, homeowners, anyone who might find something they need. You can walk right in off the street and have a good time.” Hallahan said one of the things he likes to see most at the event is the families that come and bring their children. “The kids get to see and touch all the trucks and the equipment,” he said. “It’s really a great thing for them.” For more information visit the AORS website at www.aors.on.ca “Kiss The Pig” Streetfest July 25 Blyth Not having to cook Blyth United Church hosted its drive-thru lunch and supper on May 28. While some people, like Kevin Falconer, left, got out to talk to the folks at the church like Brenda Brooks, patrons of the service could pull up in their vehicle, pay, get their food and never have to set foot outside of their vehicle to have a great meal for their family. (Denny Scott photo) Vacation bible school registration open Happy birthday to Marg (Scrimgeour) Marks, Windsor who celebrates June 4; Albert Wasson, June 5; Cindy MacDonald and Rylee Chalmers, June 9 and Jim Howson, Bayfield and Ron Howson, June 10. Sorry to hear that Dan McInnis is a patient in Wingham Hospital. We hope he will be back home soon. Many relatives attended the funeral of John Evans in Sarnia on Saturday, May 30 at All Saints Anglican Church, Sarnia. John was in his 99th year and the husband of Verna (Johnston) Evans. John sailed the Great Lakes for many years and worked at Plysar in Sarnia until his retirement. Those attending were nieces and nephews Marilyn Craig, Nancy and Ed Daer and Bill Johnston. Great-nieces and nephews were Deb and Fred Hakkers, Tricia Daer, Doug Craig, Dave Craig and Wayne Johnston. Blyth Community Vacation Bible School is coming July 20 to 23 (Monday to Thursday) at Blyth United Church. Free registration by contacting Valerie Shortreed at 519- 523-4903. You can check out this year’s program at gospellightvbs.com/sonspark and you can register online at tinyurl.con/blythvbs2015. Camp Menesetung is having an open house on Sunday, June 14. There are activities for youth from 3 - 5 p.m. and a spaghetti and salad supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Adults $9, children five to 10 are $4 and under five are free. Come out and see what camp is all about. Now Open Daily 9 am - 5 pm Thursday and Friday 9 am - 8 pm Closed Sundays Spring Breezesgreenhouses 83189 Scott Line, RR 3 Blyth (North Huron) 519-523-9456 Come and see our beautiful selection of • annuals • perennials • shrubs • vegetable plants • patio pots and so much more Everything is Blooming at BLYTH LEGION DECORATION SERVICE Blyth Union Cemetery Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Mark Royall Everyone Welcome at Greeting worshippers at Blyth United Church on Sunday, May 31 for the combined service for Blyth United and Brussels United were Arletta, Grace and Sarah Hallahan. Ushering were Brenda Brooks, Arletta Hallahan, Nicole Kerr and Lori Brooks. Floyd Herman was music director and Fred Hakkers ran the power point. Rev. Gary Clark welcomed everyone to church for this joint service. He drew attention to the announcements in the bulletin. Special mention that next Sunday will be the last day for Sunday school until September. The Sunday school is having a barbecue after the service next Sunday, June 7. June 7 is also Food Bank Sunday. The hymn, “Hey Now! Singing Hallelujah” was sung. Rev. Clark asked the children to come to the front to help light the candles on the altar table. Rev. Clark invited everyone to greet one another. The call to worship was the singing of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp” accompanied by the Blyth Guitar Group. The opening prayer was said responsively. Floyd Herman gave a history of the anthem, “This Is My Story, This Is My Song” the choir sang. The scripture was from Acts 11: 19-30. The special music, “I Saw The Light” was sung by the Blyth Guitar Group with the choir and congregation joining in. Rev. Clark’s message was explaining the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. There was a busload of people from London Conference going to Ottawa to hear the results of the six-year findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. We watched a video of what the Truth and Reconciliations Commission was all about. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was a group formed to let the survivors of the Indian Running here and there like ants on an anthill! (J. C. Ryle) Oh, that men and women would learn to live with the awareness that one day they are going to die!Truly, it is a waste of time to set our hearts on a dying world and its short-lived comforts and pleasures;and for the sake of momentary pleasures - - to lose a glorious eternity in Heaven! Here we are striving, labouring, exhausting ourselves about little things, and running here and there like ants on an anthill! And yet after a few years, we will all be gone -- and another generation will take our place. Let us live for eternity!Let us seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness that can never be taken from us! “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!When Christ, who is your life, appears--then you also will appear with Him in glory!” Colossians 3:1-4 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-1956 Local churches share service By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk Continued on page 19