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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1953-01-29, Page 13the; times-advocate, exeter, Ontario, Thursday morning, January 29,1953 Pictures Recall Many Important Highlights Of South Huron Hospital Campaign was re-designed to fit the purposes of the hospital. The wings and main structure of the hospital remained according to the original plans. River­ view Park was the site first chosen but proved unpopular with the public. FIRST PROPOSAL — This is the type of building the Hospital Associa- tion originally proposed. The sketch was drawn by architect Charles B, Dolphin. When the Association purchased the Carling Estate, the house FIRST DONATIONS — The drive for funds got off to an excellent start with a $5450O gift from Exeter Lions and a $1,000 personal donation from Eric McIlroy, of Grand Bend. Left to right are C. S. MacNaughton, the late James Bowev, Lions secretary, R. E. Rus­ sell, then president of Lions, R. N. Creech, W. G. Cochrane, E. D. Bell and A. J. Traquair, & * - F^- • AIR FORCE WIVES ASSIST — One of the first organiza­ tions to give money to the hospital was the wives' auxiliary at R.C.A.F. Station Centralia. They raised the money with raffles, variety entertainment and a tag day. PLAY CHEQUE — Presenting a $600 cheque to R. N. Creech, treasurer of the South Huron Hospital Association, is Mrs. William Johns, directress of the plgy, "Coveralls”. Mrs. Kenneth Johns is at right, Tom Pryde left. The play — sponsored by Elimville W.I. — was presented 33 times. CONSTRUCTION BEGINS — Workmen began preparing I pital in March. Part of the Carling house was removed. The the grounds of the Carling Estate fox* construction of the bos- (hospital was built in less than a year and cost about $275,000. FIRST AUXILIARY EXECUTIVE — This is the executive of the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary, formed late last year. From left to right, they are, front row: Mrs. C. S. Mac- Naughton, Mrs. L. Taylor, Mrs. G. Koch, Mrs. K. Johns (president), Mrs. J. D. Smith, Mrs. G. Zwicker, Miss M. Brown, Mrs. V. Heywood, Mrs. H. H. Cowen, Mrs. J. G. Jones, Mrs. R. L. Motz, Mrs. F. J. Milner; back row: Mrs. Ward Hern, Mrs. R. Hicks, Mrs. J. G. Dunlop, Mrs. N. Walper and Mrs. E. D. Bell. —Jack Doerr, Exeter Credit Building Foreman, Helge Jensen, With Saving Hospital Countless Dollars Officials of the South Huron Hospital Association pay glow­ ing tribute to Helge Jensen, the man who supervised the con­ struction of the new building. The 45-year-old native of Den­ mark built the hospital in less than a year, saved the associa­ tion countless dollars with his knowledge of construction, work­ ed tirelessly and endlessly on the project. The beautiful new hospital is tribute itself to Helge Jensert, because it might not be there without him. Big Blow The Association called for tenders for construction Of the hospital in 1951 to detOrinine the approximate cost of the building. They received their greatest disappointment—a blow that almost shelved the hospital project. The prices submitted were well over $350,000, seemingly miles out of reach of the finan­ cial campaign. It whs then the Association first thought Of dropping the project. They publicly stated the hospital might not be built. Brightens Picture ThOn, Helge Jensen entered the picture and brightened It. He was approached by mem­ bers of the association, told of the Situation and asked if It was posslblo to build the hospital tear the price the Association could pay. Meanwhile, the Carling estate became available and there was speculation if this house and its grounds could be used for the hospital to advantage. Helge Jensen went to work on the plans, broke the con­ struction down to minute detail, considered the assets -of local labor, noted where money could be saved, how construction would be more economical, and how the Carling house could be used at a paving. Project Boomed He emerged with a figure close to what the Association Could handle and the project boomed ahead. Helge Jensen’s knowledge of Construction isn’t small. He’s Constructed buildings several times larger than this hospital. His experience is considerable. Helge began as a carpenter’s apprentice when he was 15 years Old. He learned the trade in Denmark, where his father was a blacksmith. His rise in the construction industry was meteoric. By the time he was 17 he was in charge of 110 meh on an apartment house. Two years later he was responsible for 350 skilled mon, almost all of them his senior! Traveller Helge’S'passion was to see tho world and that’s what he did. Before coming to Canada, he Worked In Norway, Sweden, Fin- land, Germahy and England. lie came to this country In 1929 and began work on a farm near Embro—but not before he’d travelled to the west coast to see all of Canada. Later he moved to Toronto and worked in a furniture shop. Then he Went north, worked in the gold mines for a while, then contracted to build mines. Started Town Since then he worked on con­ siderable construction and can claim the distinction of starting several towns in Ontario. He built the first houses in Vir­ ginia and Marathon, both in­ dustrial developments. During the War he supervised Construc­ tion on five airports. Helge settled in Exeter after the War and set up his local furniture shop. Although *he’s taken time off to take over some major construction in other parts of the province, he’s still kept his home here. It’s the longest he stayed in one place yet. And South Huron cart be thankful he did settle here, be­ cause, otherwise, the comxntinity hospital might still be on paper. Bright FcathCiW The fact that the hospital was built inside of one year is a feather in Helge’s cap. The fact that he did this With an average Of only 15 men during the con­ struction is another feather in his c an, So far as the South Huron Hospital is concerned, Helge Jensen wears a hat With lots of bright feathers, Exeter raffled Grand for the RAFFLE COTTAGE — and Grand Bend Lions this lovely cottage in Bend and raised $10,000 hospital in the summer of 1952. It was won by Alphonse Payton. LIONS PRESENT $10,000 — A. J. Sweitzer, president of the Exeter Lions, presents C. E. Shaw, acting treasurer of the association, with a $10,000 cheque on behalf of Grand Bend and Exeter Lions. Money was raised in a ’cottage raffle. W. G. Cochrane, secretary of the association, is right; Ulric Snell, chairman of building committee, left. —Jack Doerr BINGO PROCEEDS —* Many were the methods used to raise funds the hospital. Bin­ gos, dances, fat-boy contests, euchre, raffles, plays and other attractions Were held to swell the coffers. Picture shows Exeter Branch of the Canadian Legion presenting $3,112.78, proceeds from monster bingos, to the hospital association. Left to right; Harvey Pfaff, Le­ gion president (1952); Stanley Frayne,. secretary; Andrew Bierling, chairman of the Le­ gion project; C. E. Shaw, acting treasurer of the Hospital Association; and Elmer D. Bell, chairman. „—Jack Doerr, Exeter Hospital Provides 35 Rooms, 10 Cubicles The South Huron’’ Hospital forms a cross in the block of of land just off main street be­ tween William street and Main street. The top of the cross, the old Carling house, contains the ad- ministratioxi rooms and t h e nurses’ quarters. The bottom stand houses Operating rooms, wards and nursery. Tho bars of tlio cross or wings of the hospital, con­ tain wards and kitchen facilities. There are 35 patient beds, 10 baby cubicles and two children's Cot& besides the necessary sur­ gical and operating rooms. Here is the general layout of the first floor: The Carling house contains the nurses’ living rooms, the general office, ■reception room and nurses’ superintendent’s of­ fice. Just off the corridor past the reception room is a four-bed ward. In the west wing is the modern kitchen, the dining bar, nurses’ dining room, treatment room and two-bod wards. In the ORGANIZATIONS DONATE — One of the many organisa­ tions which donated funds to the hospital was Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. Here, Helen Westcott, treasurer, presents a cheque for $600 to Elmer D. Bell, Q.C., at the sorority’s annual ball. The money furnished a ward in the hospital. District Men Met In Fall, 1949 To Form First Hospital Ass'n •The South Huron Hospital Association was first organized in September, 1949, just two weeks after Exeter Lions Club voted financial assistance to the hospital campaign. Representatives from Usborne, Stephen, Crediton, Grand Bend and Exeter met in the Central Hotel, enjoyed a beef dinner, and voted 100 percent to build a hospital. The 30 men agreed to form an association and elected E. D. Bell, Q.C., chairman. R. N. Creech, retired Exeter newspaper editor, was named treasurer and Chairman ot the finance committee, W. G. Cochrane was elected secretary. Other officers elected were: ' Publicity and promotion com­ mittee: C. S. MacNaughton, J. M. Southcott. Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee: J. G. Dunlop, M.D. Honorary presidents: A. Y. McLean. M.P., and Tlios, Pryde. M.L.A. Building committee: Edward Lindenfield, Harry Beaver, Ivan Kalbfleisch, Maurice Klumpp, Walter Spehcer and A. J. Sweit­ zer. Finance committee: Reeves of all municipalities in the district and chairmen of all trustee boards of police villages. Exeter subcommittee oh fi­ nance i Ulric snail. E. R. Hop­ per, A. O. Elliot. A. J. Trdquair, Exeter, was chairman for the meeting and led tho discussion on the pro­ ject. E. D. Bell outlined the gene­ ral financing, and capital and operating costs. He said every organization in the district Could render invaluable service during the campaign and after the hos­ pital is in operation. Dr. J, G, Dunlop advised the meeting that ail members of the medical profession had indicated Oast Wihg arc nifie two-bed wards, and utility room. Housed in the main section of the hospital, besides the nursery which is described elsewhere, are tho two operating rooms, steri­ lizing room, chart room, x-ray section, freafmorii room, and four two-bed wards. i their support. He outlined the need for the hospital, noting this was the only district in many miles with­ out such a service and that this prosperous agricultural commun­ ity could well support li. Seventy-five percent of those patients taken to city hospitals could be properly treated in ” a South Huron Hospital, he said. E. R. Hopper stated a local building would relieve the crowd­ ed conditions in Victoria and ■St, Joseph’s Hospitals at Lon­ don, Others who publicly endorsed the project were Dr. H. ,H- Cowen, Thomas Pryde, Ulric Snell, Elmer Lawson. H. K. Eilber. R, N- Creech had already laid plans for raising funds. He felt that a group system would “be desirable. If 30 men were approached for $1,000 donations each, the association would soon ktiow wh^tlier dr not it copld build the hospital. When Qio $1,000 group was exhausted, similar groups would ba ap­ proached for lesser amounts. C. S. MacNaughton referred to the Lions Club fund of $5*5.00 ror campaign expenses. Ho praised the effort put forth jfry a group Of airforce wives who had contributed $100 towards the hospital fund, the proceed® of a rug raffle, Attending the meeting besides those mentioned were*. Eric Me- Iroy, Grand Bend; Garnet Hicks, ttoborne; Harry Beaver, G. ,<3. Zwicker, H. K. Either and Lome Hodge, of Crediton, and A. J. Sweitzer, I<en Wein, Harvfey Pol­ len, R. E. Pooley, W, E. Middle­ ton, Sheldon Wein, T. 0. South­ cott, H. O; Southcott, and A. o Elliott, Exeter. Three days after the Associa­ tion was organized, the f tost personal donation of ,$1,000 whs* received from Eric McIlroy, of Grand Betid. The campaign Was I on! The basement of the hosjdtal contains a board fonm, todies auxiliary room, laboratory, cen­tral supply room, sterilizing room, pharmacy, janitor's apart­ ment, food storage room, laundry room, health iium’tt fuel room drying room and electric room.