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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-09-05, Page 1CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, September 5, 2013 Volume 29 No. 35 SCHOOL - Pg. 12Maitland River ESopened to public FESTIVAL - Pg. 23 ‘Falling: A Wake’ opensat Phillips StudioTHRESHERS- Pg. 10Locals prepare for Blyth’s big weekend 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: Council supports campaign’s Memorial Hall phase Thresher Reunion takes over Blyth this weekend Setting up Blyth’s Gary Courtney, a long-time member of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association, is seen here working the forklift and helping to set up the Blyth Campgrounds for the association’s annual reunion this weekend. The set-up happens every year on Labour Day as dozens make their way to Blyth to chip in for the village’s big weekend. (Shawn Loughlin photo) North Huron Township Council held a special meeting in Wingham on Thursday, Aug. 29 to discuss several issues regarding the municipality’s involvement in the 14/19 campaign. The meeting was designed to look at what kind of involvement the municipality would have in the five- year, three-phase capital-intensive project and decide what boundaries to set. This meeting was held less than a week after council decided to pay more than $13,000 for an assessment of Memorial Hall. The three phases include renovating Memorial Hall and its courtyard, building a school for the arts at the previous site of the Blyth Public School including a 150-seat cutting-edge theatre and, lastly, starting an endowment to fund the project past the five-year plan. The discussion started with council members deciding they were more interested in putting finances towards Memorial Hall than any other part of the project for the forseeable future, with Reeve Neil Vincent explaining what he saw as the municipality’s role. “I see us backing it and doing things to make other things work,” he said. “We will help with the fundraising with anything we can do and assist them in applying with grants and to different foundations. We can do background work on basically getting the non-tax dollar support for it and North Huron council’s donations should be mainly for Memorial Hall. That should be the very big part of our contribution.” Councillor Brock Vodden agreed, but went even further stating all funds they donate need to be earmarked for improvements to Memorial Hall and the surrounding grounds only regardless of how the committee, of which Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long, who was making the presentation and facilitating the discussion, is a part of. “Currently, funds are distributed by the campaign committee,” Long had explained prior to the discussion. “I feel the township needs to specify where the funds are going.” Soon after that discussion, however, council decided to look at the 14/19 plans a little deeper and Vodden had several concerns with the existing project plans as well as with the way the committee seems to be proceeding. “I think the thing that is missing, and has been missing from their presentation, is the public involvement,” he said. “For example, the prospect of repurposing the courtyard is very controversial. Lots of people are very much against what they are talking about. This needs to be discussed. We have the same issue with the streetscape plan. They are controversial, profound changes.” Vodden went on to say he was not against any of the plans, and was willing to listen, however, later in the meeting he disagreed as he pointed out one plan included laying red bricks or painting a red path to the main doors of the hall, which he was vehemently against. “They suggested they paint the [walkway] up to the front door red,” he said. “That confirms it’s a The first weekend after Labour Day is upon us once again, which, for many in Blyth and its surrounding communities, means the annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association. Organizers were busy on Monday readying the grounds for the thousands of people expected at this year’s reunion. Events get underway tonight (Thursday) with a fiddle workshop with Stratford’s Doug McNaughton, who has been hosting the annual workshop in Blyth for over 20 years. Thursday is also the association’s “Plough Day” which will take place at Henk Pardys’ property at 39849 Blyth Road, just southwest of the Blyth Campgrounds. The day became very successful last year when those at the reunion heard that antique steam engines and tractors were being used to complete farm work in the area. It became a popular spectator event. On Friday, elementary student activity day, the gates open at 8 a.m., with events beginning shortly afterward at 9 a.m. when displays, crafts, student activities, working displays, the Lifestyles tent and Papa’s Petting Zoo all get underway. At 10 a.m. the fun tractor pull begins and at Papa’s Petting Zoo, there will be a mini-horse demonstration and a full-sized horse demonstration as well. One of the cornerstones of the reunion every year, the threshing demonstration, will begin at 10:15 a.m. It will take place again in the afternoon at 1:15 p.m. At 10:30 a.m. the antique ditching machine will be put to work, while the OPP’s “Seatbelt Convincer” will occupy the grounds’ main stage, with the demonstration running again at 2 p.m. John Heaman’s Band will take to the main stage on 11 a.m. and at noon the event’s famous beans will be served from the antique bean pot. (They will be ready at noon on Saturday and Sunday as well.) At noon the Bruce County Junior Farmers will be featured in the Lifestyles tent, with their program on farm safety and agriculture awareness running from noon until 2 p.m. This year’s reunion will officially open at 12:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies being held on the main stage. Special events and the fun tractor pull take place at 1 p.m. that day as well. At 4 p.m., all three days, the parade will run its way through the grounds with a viewing area in front of the main stage. Also at 4 p.m. the Shriners’ fish fry will begin at the Blyth Lions Park before the Twilight Serenaders begin their set in the Lifestyles tent at 6 p.m. Gary Courtney’s famous corn roast, now in its 25th year, will take place at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night. From 8 p.m. to midnight Tri- Country will perform in the “ Almost 100 years ago, a group of people had an idea, and that idea became Blyth Memorial Community Hall. Almost 40 years ago, a group of people had an idea, that idea became the Blyth Festival. 14/19 is another group of people with an idea - to create a cultural hub in Blyth that reaches county wide, country wide. Be a part of it.” PETE SMITH PROJECT DIRECTOR Continued on page 22 By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 18