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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-09-19, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013. Bell donated to association for display at shed Continued from page 6 and one of the McElroy boys, he had a plantation of 560 trees which he hoped would be into good produc- tion in about 14 years. They includ- ed Spy, Baldwin, Greening, King, Ben Davis, 20 -ounce and Seek, so son, Bob, reported in one of his talks He said that there was a full crop in 1907; in 1908, it was very light. In 1909, they had another full crop of nine to 12 barrels per tree. After Andrew W. Sloan's son, Robert Richard "Bob" Sloan took a two-year course at the Agricultural College in Guelph, he became engrossed by the business of grow- ing and exporting apples. He was a sought after speaker on the subject. The March 22, 1900 issue of The Blyth Standard reported that "Mr. D. Cantelon, Huron's Apple King, says that losses to shippers last year will reach fully $250,000." No doubt A.W. Sloan suffered losses that year too. In 1906, A.W. Sloan sold over 300 barrels of apples to Mr. D. Cantelon, of Clinton, probably to fill out advance orders, a practice that apple growers continue to this day. A Harvest of Memories, a history of Morris Twp. lists the kinds of apples A.W. Sloan showed at the Blyth Fall Fair. They were: Baldwin, Kink of Tomkins, Rhode Island Greening, Ribston Pippins, Russet Goldens, Russet Roxboros, Seek -no - Further, Wagner, Gravenstien, Mammoth, Pippins, Talman Sweet, Maiden Blush, Snow, Ontarios, 20 - ounce Pippins. In 1910, the local editor added a footnote to a write-up about one of Bob Sloan's speaking engagements. He said, "Bob is one of the best experts on fruit in the county." Thomas Sloan, another of Andrew W.'s sons had an orchard on the 14th of Hullett near Blyth. There are still people around who remember going there as children when their parents were buying apple butter. Mrs. Sloan had it set out in jars on a table in her back kitchen. Other people remember going to the Glousher farm near Blyth to have cider made. People say the best apple butter was that "Grandma" Glousher made in a huge cast iron kettle over an open fire. She walked round and round stirring the contents with an L-shaped paddle to keep them from burning. Of these experi- ences warm memories were made. Andrew Sloan died in 1917 and his youngest son, also named Andrew, carried on the farm opera - tion until 1927 when the farm was sold. It had been 52 years in the Sloan name. Seven years after that a severe winter of unusually low tem- peratures and other extenuating cir- cumstances decimated most orchards in Huron County. This marked the end of the Apple produc- ing and exporting business. The Sloans had developed a new type of Spy apple, called "Sloan Spy" but it is thought none remained after the 1934 disaster. A. W. had planted a windbreak of evergreen trees around his orchard. The trees directly next to the buffer survived, but were too few to contin- ue the business. Local men some of whom had helped plant the original orchard, were hired to cut down all the damaged trees. After that, "Poppy's Bell" was no longer needed but the family for whom it held personal memories were pleased to be able to buy it and mount it on a windmill -like base. When grandchildren visited, they were each allowed to ring the bell just once. Perhaps they held in their memories the thrill of doing that just as the 11 year old had done so many years before. Perhaps children who visit the annual gathering at the Thresher Reunion in Blyth will sometimes be given permission to make the beauti- ful old bell ring and create a memo- ry for them to carry through life. This story was written in August, 2013 by Janis (Morritt) Vodden using references from descendants of A.W. Sloan family and from items in the Repository of Blyth History which she and her husband, Brock Vodden, maintain. Learn the 7(/CIity Blyth East Side Dance 273 Hamilton St., Blyth • 519-523-4590 www.blytheastsidedance.com Cycling As per tradition, the 93rd annual Elementary School Fair kickoff wouldn't be complete without a decorated bicycle competition. Shown here with the fruits of her labours is Grace Hallahan taking a ride around the ballpark in Belgrave at the fair last week. (Denny Scott photo) 0 s COMMUNITY LIVING Wingham £r District Inspiring Possibilities Dinner and Dance with and Stent auction Saturday, September 28 BMG Community Centre, Brussels Cocktails 6-7 pm; Dinner 7 pm by Cardiff's Catering. Dancing 9 pm - 1 am $100./couple - Call 519-357-3562 for tickets The Best Slow Cooker Recipes Judith Finlayson BULBS E BASEMENT GERANIUnzimmMS CIDER Steps for pressing, pro- cessing and storing cider as well as fer- menting hard cider. Recommendations for best varieties to use. $19.95 Blyth 519-523-4792 THE 150 BEST SLOW COOKER RECIPES A revised and expanded second edition of recipes for meals from your slow cooker. From appetizers and fondues to soups, main courses and side dishes to desserts. lnclud-es meat, fish, seafood and vegetarian dishes. $27.95 BULBS IN THE BASEMENT, GERANIUMS ON THE WIN- DOWSILL How can you keep alive those lovely tender plants from one season to another despite our severe winters? This book tells how to grow and over -winter 165 tender plants. $22.50 Cider H^.1,HIHG, USING F. ENJOYING SWEET e HARD CIDER ASMI: Pt iLX ILEA. NICIII]ES ok hook APPLE COOKBOOK 160 pages of recipes using apples in everything from breads to drinks and snacks to salads to cakes, pies and desserts plus a listing of apple varieties and their characteristics. $12.95 CURING & SMOKING CURING & SMOKING MADE AT HOME Cure and smoke your own food, save money, and have fun. The book explains what is pos- sible and offers practical instructions on how to transform fresh meats, fish, seafood and even eggs and cheese. Includes tips and recipes. $19.95 Brussels The Citizen 519-887-9114 Stop by today and see our great selection of books! ,.J -%'/Anniversary m ' Zi on jT- V )�1 II -, formerly .Mennonite eCrow sh 1963 - 2013 Union Church 1913 - 1963 44902 Cranbrook Rd. Brussels ON and remembrance Calling all former ',\ 1_,-44100 Union Church families and former Vacation Bible School students You are invited to a day of celebration 5unclat�, September 22, 201 3 3:00 PM - Program (memories, stories ...) 4:30 PM - Social time 7:00 PM - Hymn Sing Contact- (519) 343-3679 or (519) 656-2172 Cycling As per tradition, the 93rd annual Elementary School Fair kickoff wouldn't be complete without a decorated bicycle competition. Shown here with the fruits of her labours is Grace Hallahan taking a ride around the ballpark in Belgrave at the fair last week. (Denny Scott photo) 0 s COMMUNITY LIVING Wingham £r District Inspiring Possibilities Dinner and Dance with and Stent auction Saturday, September 28 BMG Community Centre, Brussels Cocktails 6-7 pm; Dinner 7 pm by Cardiff's Catering. Dancing 9 pm - 1 am $100./couple - Call 519-357-3562 for tickets The Best Slow Cooker Recipes Judith Finlayson BULBS E BASEMENT GERANIUnzimmMS CIDER Steps for pressing, pro- cessing and storing cider as well as fer- menting hard cider. Recommendations for best varieties to use. $19.95 Blyth 519-523-4792 THE 150 BEST SLOW COOKER RECIPES A revised and expanded second edition of recipes for meals from your slow cooker. From appetizers and fondues to soups, main courses and side dishes to desserts. lnclud-es meat, fish, seafood and vegetarian dishes. $27.95 BULBS IN THE BASEMENT, GERANIUMS ON THE WIN- DOWSILL How can you keep alive those lovely tender plants from one season to another despite our severe winters? This book tells how to grow and over -winter 165 tender plants. $22.50 Cider H^.1,HIHG, USING F. ENJOYING SWEET e HARD CIDER ASMI: Pt iLX ILEA. NICIII]ES ok hook APPLE COOKBOOK 160 pages of recipes using apples in everything from breads to drinks and snacks to salads to cakes, pies and desserts plus a listing of apple varieties and their characteristics. $12.95 CURING & SMOKING CURING & SMOKING MADE AT HOME Cure and smoke your own food, save money, and have fun. The book explains what is pos- sible and offers practical instructions on how to transform fresh meats, fish, seafood and even eggs and cheese. Includes tips and recipes. $19.95 Brussels The Citizen 519-887-9114 Stop by today and see our great selection of books!