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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1975-06-26, Page 95-there is no dam and very little water. The retreats and hiding place of birds.and animals have been fouled up and the modern boy would not relish the scum and filth that nurtures on the decay. • The dam which was' so important in early times has suffered the ravages of erosion. • FlOodfide waters have undermined the rotting timbers and there is not much left to show the strength it possessed in the last century. It is a skeleton that is gradually disintegrating. Once a vital organ in the life of _the cOrnmunity, to-day its heart gone and its body decayed. Historians may write long and glowing accounts of the dam and the glorious events that were held there but it will never be restored, except in the memories of the people who played there. They will remember it as a wonderful landmark, pulsating, full of life, fond memories and the centre of their dreams. To them it will always remain a hallowed spot where pleasant days were spent and enjoyed. The romance of the dam picnics is long since past and there is little or no hope for their return. See you at Centennial! SEAFORT PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION RODGER WHITMAN E. DALY B. CARONO WALTER SCOT MRS. AMY HORNE Chairman Commissioner Mayor Manager Secretary 'At the Egmemdville dam, . _ Remember Gypsies and skinny dipping? (Continued from Page 3) readily available. They did not dwell on the subject but no one was left in doubt for any length of time. Sex was no more important than gathering pussywillows for their mothers, collecting birds eggs, blowing up fro gs or chasing hatterflies. Full of Trout From earliest 'times the Egmondville bridge was the fqcal point of yesteryear. It was a gathering place in the evenings and a spot to walk to on Sundays. Boys fished from the.bridge, little girls skipped on it. Lovers met, caressed, and oftimes took the footpath from there to the altar. The river -Under the bridge was radiant and clean in those days. The water was clear, cold, sparkling and full of pink-fleshed trout. Progress and time have reduced it to a trickle;‘ a sickly trickle in summer, due to the draining of the land by farmers -.."'''''ST4=CiaNAMEMMAZMWOMMW being thrown into the water and told to swim back. It was unethical but effective. Bathing suits were never worn and up 'till this period never thought of. The hindrance of clothing was shed whilst running down the embankment towards the swimming „hole. Last in 'was a rotten egg. That was an inducement to tear off blouses and pants. The thrill of swimming and the excitement around swimming hole held precedence over alt other training. River Rat Gang The River Rat Gang was as much a part of the dam surroundings as the birds, the animals and the fish. Enchantment, magic, fascination and freedom filled every minute of the day. Merely watching a blue heron float into the distance or a helldiverdisaPpearing below the surface was picturesque. All of that is behind us. To-day. .igieMOMMOZIMagaWAMMEMW.,Ms:: and the Town ofh Seaforth disgorging its cesspools into the spring-fed waters of Silver Creek. was an . Egmondville River Rat, sunburned, freckle-faced, and barefooted. I swam, naked, below the slides of the dam, dug turtle eggs along the high bank and carved my initials on the shells of big ole snappers. It was a carefree era and to-morrow didn't matter. Nature supplied an abundance of wildlife to keep boys happy. Snappers were half the size., of washtubs and the booming voices of bullfrogs loud as great big drums. We played, we ran, we fought, we built castles in the air and allowed our imaginations to get out of bounds. The blue of the sky was an ocean and the soft fleecy clouds were puffs from the guns of pirates . The river was the centre of our dreams and the dam was the headquarters. Every boy learned to swim and by the same method; '4 Edward Mold, Frank Sills, Sr., and Jerry Case man the Hydro Booth, promoting_the use of electrical appliances. The picture was taken at the Recreation Park '(Now. the Optimist Park) about 1912. Note the kids on the fence avoiding admission fees. Who says things have changed? 29 ROVIDING THE BEST IN SERVICE OVER THE YEARS Seaforth's 1st Electric Dynamo was bought by the town in 1889. The Scott brothers formed the Seaforth Electric Light Company in 1894 and by January 1895 Seforth had its first renal- power Source. Incandescent lights numbering b00 and 75 arc lights turned night into. day. In August 1910 the town citizens voted 370 to 42 for. Public Hydro which was turned on December 1, 1911. Seaforth's P.U.C. was famed later in the same year with D. J. McCallum as chairman. The P.U.C. has taken pride for 64 years in providing Seaforth with the best service available. • POW 'zMN'V./"-efff.00W,Mr.A.WAMMEW.‘e,MW,WS NOMMIMS" 22—THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 26, 1975