Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1970-05-21, Page 14' wo drown on school outin k McCauley was on the beach area when the tragedy happened. "Before I realized what was happening the Guenther girl had drifted or was blown by a strong east wind that came up into the deeper area, By that time I was in the water but she was out of my reach," added McCauley, a non-swimmer. While the girls were attempting to help each other, McCauley raced back to the camp house to get teacher Dave IVIcLure and three boys who could swim, Sandy Thompson first went to the aid of the Guenther girl but was unable to control,her and was helped to shore by Geraldine Moddejonge. Geraldine went back to try to help Janet but was unable to and they both went under, Cathy Ryan with some swimming abilities went out but was unable to cope with both girls and was able to get back to shore safely, Tom Travers, of Hensall a grade 12 student and one of the camp leaders and two others dived repeatedly on their arrival but were unable to locate the girls. At this point, OPP officers at Parkhill, principal J. L, Wooden of South Huron and the chairman f the Ausable River Conservation Authority were contacted. Two provincial police scuba divers were brought in and they — Please turn to page 3 LIONS BRIDGE PROGRESSING — A project of the Exeter Lions club made possible by a wallcathon about a year ago is nearing completion. Erection of a bridge across the Ausable river at the easterly edge of Riverview Park will make access to the easterly part of the park much easier, The bridge is shown above with Jack Jensen, an employee of C.A. McDowell Ltd. and Lion president Murray Moore. T-A photo. GERALDINE MODDEJONGE JANET GUENTHER Five persons hurt in area collisions Ninety-sixth Year Price Per Copy 15 Cents when the car he was driving went out of control on concession 2 in Hay Township and struck some guide posts and rolled over. The crash occurred at 6:50 p.m. and Constable Lamont set damage at $1,600. There were two accidents on Sunday, .the first at 10:50 a.m., involving cars driven by Oscar Tuckey, Exeter and Gerald Donnelley, Seaforth, Both were southbound on Highway 4 north of Exeter and Donnelley struck the rear of the Tuckey vehicle as the latter was preparing to make a left turn. Damage was listed at $1,000 by Constable F. L. Giffin. The — Please turn to page 3 Council delay sign edict, approve anti-litter bylaw EXETER, ONTARIO, MAY 21, 1970 had an opportunity to discuss the proposed bylaw. Council later agreed to his suggestion. OKAY ANOTHER BYLAW At the suggestion of Reeve Derry Boyle, council approved A three-day camping trip sponsored by South. Huron District High School came to an abrupt and tragic end early Thursday when two district girls drowned in a man-made lake in the Parkhill Dam Conservation area. The victims, Geraldine Moddejonge of Exeter and Janet Guenther of Shipka were among 29 grade nine students from the local high school who were attending the second of seven planned camping trips, This is the seventh year that the school has been giving youngsters the opportunity to attend camps of this kind, but the first time it has been held in the immediate Parkhill area. Previous camps were held at Camp Sylvan. The students were housed at Camp Nagansipi formerly known as the Peterson farm which is located about a mile from where the tragedy occurred. The two girls that were drowned and three others Cathy Ryan, Mount Carmel, Sandy Thompson, Grand Bend and Darlene Porter, Exeter, had just completed a long hike and wanted to go swimming. They were driven to the site by camp co-ordinator Terry McCauley, former resources manager of the Ausable River Conservation Authority. McCauley said, "I said I'd drive them to the lake because they had just finished a long walk and it is at least a mile to the beach. The group arrived at the lake at around five o'clock in the afternoon and all but Kathy Ryan, who didn't have a suit with her, went into the water. At the lake there is a designated area of about 150 feet in depth where the water is shallow and then it falls off to depths of from 15 to 30 feet. The girls were in the water about ten minutes "puddling about" in the shallow spots and Little interest in taking option 1 BEGINNERS GETTING INSTRUCTIONS — Newcomers to the game of lawn bowling received special instructions at the first outing of the year, Monday afternoon. Above, Alvin Pym is showing Mrs. Archie Etherington and Mrs. Lloyd Ballantyne the proper grip on the bowl. Five persons sustained injuries in some of the seven accidents investigated by the Exeter OPP detachment officers this week. One of the most serious occurred Thursday at 6:15 p.m. when a car operated by John V. Eglitis, RR 1 Granton, was in collision with one driven by Emily N. Dykeman, RR 1. Centralia, on the Usborne- Biddulph township line near Whalen. Emily Dykeman suffered a sore back and a passenger, Marjorie Dykeman, sustained neck and forehead injuries. Damage was estimated at $1,525 by Constable D. A. Mason. In another accident Thursday, damage of $150 was estimated by Constable D. A. Lamont when a car operated by Kimberly C. Roberts, Huron Park, struck a curb on Canada Avenue at the Fina Service Centre. There was one accident Friday, it taking place at 9:30 p.m. when a car operated by Lorne Flater, Forest, collided with the rear of a car operated by Lesslee Regier, Zurich, on Highway 21 at Highway 84. Damage was set at $750 by Constable Lamont. Qn Saturday at 2:30 a.m. a car operated by Ronald J. Clement, Hensall, went out of control on Highway 4 south of Hensall, went into the ditch and struck a hydro pole and Union Gas regulator. Clement sustained shoulder and back injuries and damage was estimated at $975 by Constable Lamont. In another crash, Saturday, Alvin Gould, RR 1 Exeter, suffered a cut chin and left cheek establishing a bylaw regarding litter, although members couldn't come to an agreement whether it should be a "litter bylaw" or an "anti-litter bylaw". At any rate, the new bylaw would make it an offence to throw any type of litter onto the streets. This would include such things as cigarette packages, chocolate bar wrappers, etc., etc. The action was taken as a result of two complaints regarding the dumping of litter. One was in regard to the property owned by Trivitt Memorial Church and the other was in the washrooms at the town hall. It was reported students from SHDHS were eating their lunch in the washrooms and discarding the refuse onto the floor and nearby property. On one occasion, the washrooms had to be cleaned three times in one day. Members found it difficult to comprehend that anyone would enjoy eating in the washrooms. "Are you sure they're doing — Please turn to page 3 Area youth invited to weekend session Three named to committee weekend event. His phone number is 235-1470. At a time when there are many social problems to unravel, it would seem an excellent opportunity for concerned, thinking young people to get together and talk things over. HEADS RESORT OPP—A former member of the Exeter detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, Sergeant George Mitchell is in charge of the 24-man force at Grand Bend for the summer months. Mitchell presently stationed at Kitchener was promoted to his sergeant's position early this year. County clerk's son is drowned Michael Berry, 23, of Goderich, son of Huron County clerk John Berry drowned Sunday night when the tugboat on which he was working overturned and sank in Goderich harbor. Funeral services were held in Goderich Wednesday afternoon. If a mail strike becomes a reality, The Exeter T i m es-Advocate will take whatever steps possible to ensure that area subscribers will continue to receive their papers as they did at the time of the last strike. Exeter subscribers and those on R R 1 Exeter and RR 3 Exeter will be able to pick up their papers at the T-A office Thursday mornings. The papers will be delivered to all other area post offices, which at the time of the last strike, were not effected. Subscribers can pick up their papers by going to the post offices and rural route delivery may be carried on. If rural route delivery is cancelled, please call the T-A to ascertain where your paper may be picked up. If necessary, we will attempt to enlist the aid of district store owners or other outlets to distribute the papers. Unfortunately, readers from outside the area of South Huron and North Middlesex will be unable to get their newspapers if a strike is called. These will be held at the office and mailed as soon as the strike is settled. Local sign painter Don Webster succeeded in his bid to have council postpone final decision on passing a bylaw prohibiting the erection of new overhanging signs in the community. Webster pointed out the bylaw would legislate out of existence about 15 to 20 percent of his business and asked council to give the matter more thought. He said it -was also discriminating against new businesses which may establish in the community as they could not erect overhanging signs while their competitors may have such signs if they are now in existence. From a business standpoint, he also suggested it was more difficult to find stores which were marked only with flush-mounted signs. Mayor Jack Delbridge said flush signs look better as the others "stick out like sore thumbs". "I never considered I was producing sore thumbs," Webster replied. Deputy-Reeve Mery Cudmore explained to Webster that at a recent meeting of businessmen when the Norwich Plan for down town restoration was discussed, there was some enthusiasm for the plan which advocated taking down all overhanging signs. "We're not infringing on your business," the Mayor added, "we'rejust trying to make the town look better.' It was pointed out to council that a previous suggestion by the Planning Board that the overhanging signs be removed had been opposed by the executive of the Exeter Board of Trade. Webster reported the Board of Trade would be meeting this week and asked that the matter be postponed until that group Exeter council this week gave final reading to a bylaw establishing a committee of adjustment. Members named to the committee were George Busche, Gerald Finnen and Lloyd Lovell. The committee will have power to deal with minor variances in the town's zoning and building bylaws. It is expected it will be at least a month before the committee will have authority granted under the planning act. Their terms of reference have to be established before they can act, it was indicated to council. Power sweeper is being viewed Three members of Exeter council decided against purchase of a power street sweeper they viewed at Ayton Wednesday morning. However, they were advised another machine was available and it will be brought to Exeter for a demonstration Tuesday. Attending the demonstration were Mayor Jack Delbridge and Councillors Ross Taylor and Ross Dobson. At Tuesday's meeting of council, the three had been empowered to purchase the power street sweeper if they found it satisfactory. Purchase price had been indicated at $3,000 with half to — Please turn to page 3 Two firms interested ATTAINS DEGREE Hugh J. Scott, RR 2 Staffa, will receive his Master of Science degree at University of Guelph convocation, Wednesday. His thesis was written on soybean production. A member of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists and the American Society of Agronomy, the graduate is a partner in the Scott Bros. farming operation at Cromarty. Toc Alpha will kick off its first conference in this community, Friday evening, at South Huron District High School with registration from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The evening will continue with a bull session with Quentin Yardley, a Toc Alpha worker and organizer, from St. Catharines. Saturday morning the program will continue with seminars and discussion groups. Mrs. Barb Golding and Jim Marshall, high school teachers, will discuss the new New Morality with the delegates, and O.P.P. Constable John Wright will also be on deck to field any questions put to him. Rev. Glen Wright will discuss `Where is religion going?' The day will be rounded out with a dance in the gym for the attending delegates in the evening. A Sunday morning service is planned in Riverview Park, with the closing banquet served at noon. Toc Alpha is a group of youth run by youth with no member being over the age of 25. Its purpose is to encourage young people to be aware of themselves, their environment and their responsibilities in order to relate successfully to others. Toc Alpha is neither for nor against the use of drugs and alcohol, but it produces facts, and discusses the pros and cons, leaving the final decision to the individual. Bob Read, Exeter, who is one of the organizers for this vitilizing conference told the T-A, delegates may still register for the Members of, Exeter council were not overly enthusiastic towards a suggestion from the Industrial Committee that an option be taken out on the Ontario Hydro office at the southern limits of town. Councillor Tom MacMillan, a member of the committee, asked if council would take out an option for one year on the building to be vacated next month. He said the committee understood this would be possible at a small cost. Reeve Derry Boyle asked why the committee felt so keenly about having the building. "It's not even in the town and of no value to us," he stated. MacMillan replied the committee hoped to find suitable tenants for the building, and if a small industry located there it would help the town in that they would do business in the community. "We want industrial taxation," Boyle replied, noting there was ample industrial land within the town limits. There was a suggestion the town could use the building for the storage of street equipment and the property committee was asked to investigate this possibility. Approve tender for local office Tenders were opened by council Tuesday for renovations to the exterior of the Ausable River Conservation Authority office at Riverview Park. The town has to maintain the exterior under the present agreement, but when the work is completed a new agreement is expected to be drafted ending this condition. Work to be undertaken includes shingling part of the roof, painting the woodwork, removing two dormers and a chimney. Milt Keller submitted the low tender of $850. It was $445 lower than the only other tender submitted on the job. BARN LEVELLED — Pictured above is the scene which greeted Exeter firemen as they arrived at the farm of Gordon Prance, Usborne, Thursday at noon. Firemen managed to save the buildings to the left of the burning barn, with the help of a wind change. The intense heat hindered the battle and below Ted Wright uses his coat to protect Larry Smith from the heat as he pours water on the shed near the barn. T-A photos Firemen save nearby sheds Barn loss $20,000 July 1 events appear doubtful The July 1 celebration, started in centennial year, will possibly be shelved this year. Exeter council members showed little interest in the program when it was mentioned at their meeting, Tuesday. The day in the past three years has consisted of children and adult activities at Riverview Park in the afternoon, followed by a ball game and fireworks at the community park in the evening. No members appeared interested in spearheading the organization of a celebration this year. Councillor Helen Jermyn said she thought the evening program was a good idea, but said the numbers at the afternoon show had not been good last year. "I don't think we should spend tax money on it," Reeve Boyle stated, after clerk Eric Carscadden reported the program had been a losing proposition last year, Mayor Jack Delbridge cut discussion off at this point. Cause of the blaze remains speculative, but it may have been caused by a spark from the tractor. Wayne Prance had backed a Okay apartment to house addition Councillor Tom MacMillan came in for some cheery congratulations from fellow members this week when he announced he was having an addition to the family. After the chorus of congratulations waned, he reported the addition was his mother-in-law, MacMillan was granted a building perinit to erect an apartment over the barbershop beside his Main St, store. Building contractor Milt Keller appeared before council, Tuesday, indicating he had leads on two businesses which may settle in Exeter. He said an electrical wholesale firm had expressed some interest in locating here, as well as a landscape gardener. His purpose in meeting with council was to obtain an indication of what type of land could be used for the latter business in that the owner wished to erect a residence with his business. Reeve Derry Boyle said he couldn't see anything wrong with a greenhouse and a residence in a commercial zone and further discussion indicated most members of the same opinion. However, Keller was advised that the proposal would have to be turned over to the planning board and the committee of adjustment for discussion. At the meeting, Councillor Helen Jermyn read from a letter received from planning advisor John LongWOrth, in which the latter suggested the local planning board should undertake a review of the zoning bylaw in order to develop more Selective zones, i.e., zones that are more limited in terms of the number and types of uses permitted. Longworth, who recently met with the planning board, said at the present time the restricted commercial category is too restricted and the general commercial too broad. He also said the present bylaw permits an indiscrithinate mixture of housing typeS throughout the entire residential zone, which is not lately an accepted toning approach. grain drill into the upper part of the barn about half an hour before the blaze was discovered. The only other suggestion was that a bird may have picked up a cigarette butt and carried it into the barn. The hydro in the building had been disconnected. Mr, Prance said the loss was partially covered by insurance. The fire was well advanced before it was spotted as it broke out on the north side of the barn away from the other buildings and area where men were working. By the time firemen arrived, the building was completely engulfed and their efforts were concentrated on saving the nearby sheds, Intense heat made their job difficult and fireman Ted Wright said it was one of the hottest fires he had ever battled, Report theft of cash and eggs Provincial police were advised of two thefts over the weekend. A cash box containing $10,50 was taken from the Brockville Chemical office south of Exeter, Entry was gained by pushing through a basement window. Jim Love, Stephen Township, reported $2.00 Was taken from a refrigerated egg outlet in his laneway. Some eggs were also missing. Damage was estimated at $20,000 in a fire which destroyed a large barn on the farm of Gordon Prance, north of Winchelsea, Thursday at noon. About $4,000 worth of machinery was destroyed in the blaze. A change in the direction of the wind saved another large 40' by 96' driving shed south of the barn. When the fire first broke out, flames were shooting towards the new structure, but the wind direction changed more to the south and the Exeter firemen were able to save the nearby buildings although a smaller shed was damaged to the point where the owner indicated it would have to be torn down. Mr, Prance also reported that some of the sheeting on the drive shed would have to be replaced.