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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2009-07-16, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009. PAGE 17. Piece of Blyth history makes its way homeA piece of Blyth’s manufacturinghistory has returned after being awayfor over 100 years. Harm Thalen, an antique collector from Blyth, was at an auction sale several years ago in Brussels, when he happened upon an antique sharpener. The seller, however, wasn’t selling that particular item, due to a lack of interest. Thalen named a price of $5, which sent him home with the sharpener. Not until several years later, did he do some investigating, with the help of local historian and Blyth expert Brock Vodden, and eventually discovered that the sharpener originated in Blyth, made by the Blyth Manufacturing Company. Thalen, who has an extensive antique collection, much of it Blyth- centric, had no idea that the sharpener had roots in Blyth. “It looked old and it looked interesting, so I named the man a price,” Thalen said.Much of Thalen’s collectionconcentrates on some of the historicfamilies in Blyth and several piecesdedicated to Archie Montgomery and his old business in Blyth. He says he was quite surprised to find out from Vodden that the sharpener had a Blyth connection. After extensive research, Vodden found it was made as a reaper and mower knife sharpener. The sharpener was designed by Blyth native John Ross, owner of the Blyth Manufacturing Company. After several years, the manufacturing rights were sold to Jameson and Ashbury, who continued to operate under the name of the Blyth Manufacturing Company. Vodden found articles in the New Era referencing the sharpener as early as 1891, with the patent potentially dating back to 1886. There was also some discussion of the sharpener in an 1889 issue of the Huron Expositer. Since purchasing the sharpener, Thalen says there has been someinterest in it, particularly from one buyer in Michigan. However,he says, he is not interested in selling the item, not yet at least. He has been considering refurbishing the sharpener and restoring it to its original condition,as it is missing several parts.However, he says, he wouldn’t wantto add anything to the sharpener thatwasn’t authentic. “If I’m going to fix it up, I’d want to do it the right way,” he said. Recently Betty, Nicholas, Michael and April Irwin attended a family get-together at the home of Lorna and Jim Ryder in Innisfil. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Irwin of Saskatchewan spent a few days with Bruce’s mother, Betty Irwin and visited with other family members. The community extends sincere sympathy to Thomas and Connie Black, Keith and Barb Black, and Murray and Jane Black on the recent loss of a dear sister Joan Riley and to Jodie Riley and Jason Horton on the loss of their mother. The community extends congratulations to Adam and Cheryl Garniss on the birth of their daughter Ainsley Kristina, born on June 4 at Listowel Memorial Hospital. Congratulations to Carman and Wilma Nixon who were married 50 years on June 27. Congratulations to the graduating class at East Wawanosh Public School and to all the students who received awards. Hebo and Margaret Siertsema celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Westfield with friends and family travelling from Western Canada and the United States. Congratulations and best wishes are extended from the community. Business Directory Offering a full range of services: auditing, accounting, business planning, income tax planning, personal financial planning, computer and management services. 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RR #6 Goderich, ON N7A 3Y3 519-529-7571 or 519-482-7860 LEE'S SERVICE CENTRE Repairs to all makes & models of cars & trucks Air Conditioning • Car Oiling • Snow Removal 348 Dinsley St., Blyth, Ontario CHRIS LEE: Phone: Bus. 519-523-9151 Mon.- Fri.8 am - 5:30 pm; Sat.8 am - 12 noon INSTANT FAX AS FAST AS A PHONE Send your paperwork by FAX instantly! eg. statements, contracts, auction ads, favourite recipes, obituaries, messages... The Citizen has a FAX machine in our Blyth office that lets you contact any other FAX machine in the world ... instantly. Our FAX number is also your number so if you want to be reached instantly — we will receive your messages as well. The Citizen Call Us Today For Details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Fax: 519-523-9140 By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188 PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen Good find Harm Thalen (above) with the sharpener he purchased at an auction for just $5. The sharpener was originally made by the Blyth Manufacturing Company and designed by John Ross (left). (Thalen - Shawn Loughlin photo, Ross - Photo submitted) There were a number of inaccuracies in the July 9 story on the 50th wedding anniversary of Lavern and Marion Godkin. The Godkins’ daughter Nancy Schmeltzer is married to Richard, the pair retired from farming in 2006, they honeymooned through Huntsville, Algonquin Park, North Bay, Sudbury and around the Georgian Bay area and while farming, Marion was also a teacher. In addition, The Citizen should have stated that Marion Godkin is a member of the Walton Women’s Institute. We apologize for the error. Let’s clear this up