HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-05-27, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2010.
The Majestic Women’s Institute of
Brussels met on Wednesday, May 12
at 9:30 a.m. for a mystery tour
arranged by Kathy Bridge and Ruth
Bauer.
Eleven members and one guest
headed to Clifford to the head office
of Wingham Telecommunications
where Pat Smith, who is in charge of
Business Development, greeted the
group. She showed the group around
the store where cell phones and
hands-free accessories are on sale.
They also sell security systems,
provide phone service as well as
internet and television. After looking
at a display of old phones and the
actual switchboard used from 1918-
1957, the group watched a
presentation on the history of
Wightman, which has been in
business since 1908.
Robert Wightman, a farmer and
amateur inventor, began providing
local phone service in his
community until Benjamin
Wightman took over the business in
1928 and later passed away in 1947.
His wife Leila Wightman took over
the business and ran it for the next
50 years. She was inducted into
Canada’s telecommunication Hall of
Fame in 2006 as the first woman to
own and operate a
telecommunications company. She
would run the switchboard out of her
home while raising her children. She
grew the subscription to over 2,500
and retired in her seventies in 1960
when Ray Wightman, Leila’s son
took over the business.
He brought private lines to the
area customers and was inducted
into Canada’s Agricultural Hall of
Fame in 2007. He retired in 1987
and present owners Paul and Blair
Wightman added internet service,
now offering phone, internet and
television service to their customers.
After the group had lunch at the
Redwood Restaurant they were then
off to Belmore to the garage and
local gift shop where they were
invited to take a look around, after
which a draw was held for two door
prizes won by Leona Armstrong and
Wanda Walker.
The group then went back to
Brussels for a short meeting where
thank you cards were read from the
Haiti Relief Fund, Children’s
Hospital of London, Historical
Society, Huron County and
Agriculture and Water Festival of
Huron County.
It was decided to sell quilt tickets
at the elimination draw on June 5 at
the Brussels Arena.
Thank you to the members who
helped with the April lunch and card
party. At the next meeting, June 9,
the year-end potluck lunch will be
held at noon at the home of Lucy
Hesse.
Ethel euchre was held on Monday,
May 3 with six tables in play.
Winners were: share the wealth,
Helen Dobson and Keith Turnbull;
high, Joyce Alexander, John Subject;
lone hands, Dorothy Dilworth, Keith
Turnbull; low, Eileen Ament,
Dorothy Martin.
On Monday, May 17 there were
eight tables in play.
Winners were: share the wealth,
Viola Adams and Mary Davidson;
high, Edna McLellan, Hilda Holmes,
Allan Edgar and John Subject; lone
hands, Viola Adams, Iola Subject,
Keith Turnbull and Jean Dewar.
Numerous tally prizes were given
out.
The next euchre will be held on
Monday, May 31 at 8 p.m.
Spring is all about renewal and
birth, so it’s with a little irritated
delight that I tell you about the
irrational robin who settled on our
front porch for her nursery.
We use our porch a lot when the
weather is fine. The cool days of the
past few weeks gave her a chance to
get her house in order on top of a
decorative window frame by Ralph’s
chair. Breezing out the front door
one evening, I’m not sure who was
more startled Mrs. Robin or Mrs.
Me. She flew out of her nest just at
my head level and we both
squawked. Since then I’ve tried to
walk a little more sedately near her
abode and as infrequently as
possible, but so far most of our
encounters involve her squawking
and me muttering about sharing
space. We’ll see.
Meanwhile in Listowel, the water-
damaged kitchen with cupboards
“on order” family have discovered a
raccoon in the attic. I guess a quiet
house looked like a good spot to test
the manual dexterity and remove the
attic vent, ready to set up
housekeeping for the migrant
raccoon. That wasn’t Lara and
Chris’take on the proper occupation,
so the battle begins. My robin looks
good.
Hello from Bev Brown. She’s
taking life in stride at the
Greenwood complex in Stratford
and misses her Brussels friends.
The first long weekend of the
summer weather is a goner. We
spent the weekend at Earl Rowe
Provincial Park near Alliston, a good
spot for all the ages. This large rural
park has smooth walking paths for
the wee ones, good shade trees for
reading under, several bike trails on
various terrain, the Boyne River to
watch or canoe.
Where did May go? Only a few
precious days left.
Bye now, Betty G.W.
WI talks communication
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McArter Retirement
Surrounded by friends and family, Murray McArter celebrated his retirement from the Brussels,
Morris and Grey Community Centre in Brussels on May 15. McArter had worked at the centre
for nearly thirty years when he retired earlier this year (Denny Scott photo)
By BettyGraberWatsonCall 887-9231A NOTE FROM BETTY
NEWS
FROM BRUSSELS
Euchre held in Ethel