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The Citizen, 2013-08-22, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013. PAGE 3. Reunion scheduled for closed U.S.S. #3 school houseThe U.S.S. #3 East Wawanosh and Morris School will be celebrated with a reunion this weekend at Blyth Lions Park. The reunion, which is being held on Aug. 25 from 2 to 5 p.m., is being organized by a group of volunteers including Carol Gross, who said that the school, which closed 55 years ago, was a unique place that was well attended. “It was a one room school,” she said of the building which was builtwhere the Children’s Memorial Parkis between Blyth and Belgrave onthe west side of County Road 4. “We have a picture and, at one point, there was about 60 students in the school.” Gross explained that, when the decision was made to close the school, attendance had dwindled to approximately 23. The school opened in 1881 and closed in 1958 and, from the students that attended, Gross says she hopes that they can get about 50 attendees for the reunion.“We’re trying to get a hold ofeveryone that went to the school toinvite them,” she said. “It’s difficult, however, having been closed for so long, many of the students are getting older and can’t travel.” Gross said that there was one man who used to attend the school who now lives in Ottawa and is over 80 years old. “He can’t travel that distance, but he wishes he could be here,” she said. “He sent a picture though.” The picture is important, according to Gross, because the group that is running the event is trying to put together as much memorabilia as possible and is also producing a book for the event. “We’ve created a book with both articles and pictures of the school,” she said. “The first picture we have is of the school in 1886. We have some articles and information from later on as well.” She explained that, in the 1930s, students were transported to local ball fields to see games played by drivers hired by the school. A story about the whole experience was included in the book. The driving force behind the event, according to Gross, were North Huron Councillor Ray Hallahan and his brother Jim who decided that something should be done to mark the school’s anniversary. “It’s been so long since it’s been closed, they thought we should recognize it,” she explained. Some of the zeal for organizing the event came from a previous reunion that Gross was involved with. Last June, students of SS1 MorrisTownship School gathered in thesame park to celebrate theanniversary of the closure of that school and one of the attendees told Gross that similar reunions need to be held more often. “He told me that once you got out of that school and went to public school or high school, everyone went in their own direction and began to lose contact,” she said. “He said, and I agree that it’s nice to be reunited with friends from your school years.” Aside from the reuniting, Gross also said that it’s a great chance for people to get to know more about themselves and their family as stories are shared about everyone in the community. For more information, call Gross at 519-523-9161. By Denny ScottThe Citizen Broken Washer? Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687 Meet and greet Marion de Vries, centre, who recently began her tenure as the Blyth Festival Artistic Director, held a meet-and-greet over coffee at the Queens Bakery in Blyth on Friday evening. (Denny Scott photo) Happy birthday to Diana Robinson who will celebrate a special birthday on Aug. 25. Happy anniversary to Cathy and Richard Badley who will celebrate Aug. 22; and Brent and Lori Brooks, Aug. 25. Don’t forget the school reunion for U.S.S. No. 3 which was located where the Children’s Memorial Park is today on County Road 4. Everyone is invited to come to the Blyth Lions Park for an afternoon on reminiscing and fun on Sunday Aug. 25. Bring your old pictures to reminisce with others. Many Edgar relatives gathered at the home of Richard and Joanne Edgar of Tavistock for their annual pool party. Many enjoyed a refreshing dip in the pool and the kids didn’t come out until it was time to eat and then go home. What a beautiful day for a picnic after the cool weather of the previous week. Everyone enjoyed the potluck supper before returning to their homes. Those attending were from Aylmer, Barrie, Belgrave, Blyth, Brigden, Goderich, London, Petrolia, St. Catherines, Stratford and Wingham. By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk Edgar clan attends party in Tavistock Greeting worshippers at Blyth United Church on Sunday, Aug. 18 were Marilyn Craig and Lavern Clark. Ushering was David Onn. Floyd Herman was music director and Lavern Clark ran the power point. Pastor Sandra Cable lit the Christ candle on the altar table and welcomed everyone to church. She drew everyone’s attention to the announcements printed in the bulletin with special mention that there will be no church service at Blyth United Church on Sept. 8, the Sunday of the Thresher Reunion. Everyone is invited to attend the church service at the reunion or join the Brussels United Church for its service. We are still looking for a superintendent for the Sunday School. Also Camp Menesetung is having a turkey dinner on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 4:30 - 7 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance or $14 at the door. Children ages five to 10 are $6 and five and under are free. Everyone welcome and take-outs are available. Tickets are available from any board member or by calling 519-523-4290 or 519-524-6157. The first hymn “Spirit of Gentleness” was sung followed by the call to worship repeated responsively along with the actions for the response. The opening prayer was followed by the singing of The Lord’s Prayer. The hymn “This is the Day” was followed by the prayer of illumination repeated in unison. The scripture was from Isaiah 5:1-7. Floyd Herman gave a short history of the anthem “Just as I Am” that the choir sang. The hymn “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” was followed by the prayers for the people. Pastor Sandra Cable’s message to the congregation was “To Prune or Not to Prune.” During the past week Pastor Cable visited with many members of the church both from Blyth and Brussels. She saw many beautiful gardens on her travels. She was also given some advice as to whether to prune or not to prune. There are two kinds of Clematis, one you prune and the other you don’t. In the scripture it told of a story of a vineyard being well pruned and cared for but it still produced sour grapes. We prune a tree to keep the shape we want. When we prune a plant it encourages it to produce new growth and flowers. A controlled fire will help reproduce new growth in a forest. Jesus was the spiritual fire for God. He brought God’s message to us. When a church falls apart it often makes the people become stronger and work together for one purpose. When we make an effort, we become stronger like pruning a tree or planting. Jesus came to mend things that had broken and things that had gone wrong. We want to be strong and pruned like the trees and plants to become better people and grow in faith. Joan Clark took over the service as Pastor Cable went back to Brussels for their service. The offering was received followed by the response “Grant Us, God the Grace” and the offertory prayer. The last hymn “This is God’s Wondrous World” was sung followed by the blessing and the singing of the “Three Fold Amen.” Everyone was invited for treats and coffee and fellowship with one another. Cable visits gardens in Blyth, Brussels NOTICE SPECIAL MEETING OF NORTH HURON COUNCIL Thursday, August 29, 2013 7:00 pm Council Chambers, Wingham In Camera - Section 239 — Municipal Act 2c Proposed disposition of land (Lot 42, Con. 14, East Wawanosh Ward) 2f Advice subject to solicitor-client privilege (Cross Border Services Agt.) Open Session Campaign 14/19 — Memorial Hall Gary Long, CAO/Clerk Township of North Huron P.O. Box 90, 274 Josephine Street Wingham, Ontario N0G 2W0 Take all the tangled threads! (J.R. Miller, “Family Prayers”) Heavenly Father, we would be strong for this new day, and we wait upon You to renew our strength. We need spiritual strength for the day that is before us. We shall have…burdens to carry, and battles to fight, and trials to endure, and duties to perform, and temptations to conquer, and conflicts with the evil world. We need strength for all these experiences. You alone can give us what we need. You are our refuge and our strength – a very present help in times of trouble. You have promised to be with us, and to strengthen us. You have said that as our days are – so shall our strength be; and that Your grace is sufficient for us. We accept these assurances, believing that we shall obtain help from You for every duty and every struggle this day. We would lean…our weakness – on Your strength, our ignorance – on Your wisdom, our trembling insecurity – on Your unchangeableness. Restrain us…from all excess, of whatever kind, from all extravagance of speech, from all foolish vanity, from inordinate affection and emotion. Make us thoughtful, serious, solemn, watchful, and prayerful. May we be…stronger in faith, more earnest in purpose, more holy in thought and feeling – because of our communion with You this day. We ask You for grace… to perform our allotted tasks with diligence; to guide our affairs with discretion; to do all things, whatever we do, in the name of the Lord Jesus; and in all our ways to acknowledge You. Order our steps in Your word – and let not any iniquity have dominion over us. Take all the tangled threads of our lives into Your own hand, and unravel them, weaving them into a web of beauty. “Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength! They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint!” Isaiah 40:31 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-1956