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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 90444 Section 1, Page 2 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973 Finally managed a way Where there's a will, there's a way For the past two months, the writer has been doing everything possible to get Janet Ecker to include his picture in our cen- tennial issue. We suggested that some of the WOSSA championship teams from out high school basketball and volleyball days should be included in the issue, but she replied that one had to be an Ontario champion to earn such recognition. It was then pointed out to her that the present editor was the only one in the newspaper's 100- year history who had held the position on two separate oc- casions. Not to mention our stint as sports editor. Again, no dice! We presented a picture in a Cub uniform, but she said she was reserving a spot in hopes of finding a picture of a Queen Scout. Then we found an old photo of the editor receiving an Ontario Weekly Newspaper award, but she pointed out the whole staff really earned the honor and the editor didn't qualify because he was merely acting on their behalf when he accepted it. How about the fact the editor has worn a beard for the past six or seven years. Would that be a modern day record worthy of publication? Nope! We already had several bearded gentlemen included in the issue and they looked much more distinguished. How about that photo of the editor in a SHDHS cadet uniform holding open the foor for Premier Leslie Frost when he opened the high school? She took one look at the "little soldier" and pointed out it was not a comic book being printed. What about that one when Batten won a door prize at the teen town dance in 1950? Here's one in his old Pinpopper bowling uniform after he and Cliff Quance and the boys won the consolation trophy in 1957? So the story went. Each page out of the family album was quickly set aside by Janet and it became evident that two months of pleading was falling upon deaf ears. Then the answer came. Displaying the ingenuity and instincts that were required by the ancestors of the community 100 years ago, we decided to have our column included in the issue, and of course, it carries a photo of the editor with it. For the rest of you who aren't included in this issue . . . our sympathies. Actually, this special publication deserves some words of explanation and that is the main reason for the inclusion of these words. It's the biggest issue ever published by this newspaper in its 100-year history and a number of people deserve a great deal of credit. Not the least of these is Janet, who undertook the task of arranging for the many articles and pictures featured. We think you will agree with us that she's done a tremendous job. It's no simple chore attempting to record the history of 100 years. In fact, it's an impossiblity to do it in even 100 pages. There will be items included that you may question, and others not included that you will think should have been printed. While Janet has tried her best to pick out some of the highlights, we did ask for contibutions and most of those have been included. Everyohe was given a chance and if you didn't avail yourself of that opportunity . . well, there'll be another 'similar paper in 100 years. + + You will note in reading through the pages that a great deal of the material is reprinted from the "Jottings by JMS". That's J.M. Southcott, of course, who worked on and published this newspaper for more than 60 of the town's 100 years. His vivid recollections of the early days of the community were a natural source of in- formation to us. We know you'll enjoy looking back with the late Mr. Southcott. All organizations in the com- munity were invited to submit histories and only a couple failed to accept our invitation. For those contributions we are indeed grateful, for you will note that the history of our churches and other organizations is an important part of the story of Exeter. Many other residents an- swered our request for pictures and stories and their names are included at the bottom of this column. Their efforts are most ap- preciated because some of them turned up photos that no one else knew existed. Some of them are tremendous and we thank the local citizens who have loaned them to us. Others, such as Gordon Heywood, have been of im- measurable assistance in providing early historical details or putting names on some of the people in the early photos. Out thanks too go to Jack Doerr, who has contributed several fine pictures, to our edition, along with those of his two predecessors, the late Joe and Charles Senior. It is indeed unfortunate that many of the photos taken by the Seniors have not been stored by someone for posterity. Jack tells us that many of them on glass plates have been used in greenhouses, etc, and have been lost for all times. These three photographers, along with those on the T-A staff through the years, have recorded most of the history of the com- munity on film and perhaps we should be considering some way of preserving those which are irreplaceable so they can be viewed by the generations who will follow. We could go on at great length thanking those who have assisted in this special centennial issue, and unfortunately there may even be some who will not be included in our list who have helped. To them, we say sorry for our negligence. However, one group who deserve more recognition than any others are the advertisers. Without their generous assistance, there would be no centennial issue, or it would indeed be much smaller and many items would have had to be dele ted. Their advertisements also tell some historical highlights, and we've found it interesting getting information from them for their ads. The history of a couple of local businesses stretch back over 100 years and there's one that tells of having served for four genera tions. Many record years of service over 50, while some of the "new" ones display the type of business leadership to indicate they'll be in existence to make the next birthday. Throughout the history of Exeter, the men and women of the business community have played an important role, if not JANET STRIKES AGAIN the most important. They have kept the town modern and progressive and are often the leaders of the municipal and service groups which provide the leadership for the com- munity. They have been the ones who have made it possible to publish a newspaper for 100 years. To each of them, we say a sincere thank you, as well as the following list of contributors: CONTRIBUTORS John Miller, Tom Walker, Asa N. Penhale, Gerald Prout, C.V. Pickard, Mrs. E. Dow, Mrs. Thomas Dinney, Mrs. Gary Balsdon, Mike Sanders, Mrs. Bob Turnbull, Howard Holtzmann, Mrs. R.M. Berry, Mrs. Norman Norry, Mrs. Etta Young, Mr. Wilf Hodgson, Mrs. Len Harvey, Mrs. Milton Pfaff, Gordon Heywood. Bev Morgan, Mrs. W. Craig, Harry De Vries, Massey Ferguson, Reg McDonald, Rev. George Anderson, Mrs. Victor Heywood, Ed Dorey, Joyce Monteith, Jeanette Rudolph, Richard Ottewell, Rev. Duncan McTavish, Mrs. Wilson Morley, Mrs. G.C. Koch, Debbie Hillman, Derry Boyle , Warren May, Miss Belle Campbell. Ruth Snider, Mr. Gordon Bender, Mrs. S. Link, W.G. Birney, Ben • Hoogenboom, Mrs. Norah Taylor, Dr. M.C. Fletcher, Gertrude Hamilton, Clarence Down, Mrs. Garnet Hicks, Jean Creech, Bill McAllister, Mrs. David Sangster, Don Jolly, Bell Telephone, Louis Day, Mrs. George Lawson, Bob Dinney. Lee Dobbs, Mrs. Norm Whiting, Inez Dickie, Mrs. Percy McFalls, Grace Merner, Bill Stephen, London Free Press, Earl Russell, Mrs. William Sillery, Earl Campbell, Mrs. Alex Wilding, Mrs. Elmer Reeder, C. Van Laughton, Marion Fletcher, Clinton News-Record, Sandy Eliot, Marion Bissett, Krug Bros. T-A January 17, 1935 The municipal council are considering the purchase of several acres of bush for the purpose of giving employment to those who are in need of some. The wood will be cut and disposed of locally. It is hoped in this way to help take care of some of the families requiring relief. T-A January, 1934 Foul' days after the death of her husband, the late Robert Pickard, Mrs. Pickard, the former Elizabeth Verity died. OLD POST OFFICE - The building above now houses Lindenfield's Hardware, but until 1931 it was the Exeter Post Office. This picture was taken in 1940 nine years after the Post Office moved to its present site, More than merely 'a one horse town' By D.A. FINKBEINER The forming of the Saddle Club in Exeter may have been from the influence of the Agricultural Society or some of the people who owned light horses during the years of 1945 and 1946. Up to this time the main at- traction at the fair was draft, roadster and carriage horses. When the number of draft horses started to decrease because of farm mechanization, the direc- tors of the fair decided to in- troduce classes for riding horses. The first meeting for this purpose was held at the home of G.K. Crocker, who had just purchased a Palomino stallion from California. The persons present at this meeting to the best of my knowledge was Wm. Allison, Harry Beavers, Ed Brady, Andy Snelgrove, G.K. Crocker and D.A. Finkbeiner. J.L. Grosche, a prominent judge of Stratford was invited to assist in setting up classes. However this was not accomplished until the following year. During that time, the Saddle Club was set up and the Fair was featuring both jumping and saddle classes by 1948 and 1949. Jack Parsons was the winner in the first jumping class. He had a chestnut mare who would jump most anything you asked her to. Another person who made the ribbons that day was Lorna Taylor (Russell) on a mare named Felicity. As the interest continued to grow, trail rides were organized and the shows became more numerous. By this time many Quarter Horses had come to Ontario so classes and games suited to their ability began to appear in all show and Fair prize lists. Another class which was becoming popular was the Palomino parade horse with its silver trappings and costumed rider. These golden animals always drew applause from the audience. The demand for riding horses had increased so much that in 1958, Ron Swartz, Wilmer Preszca tor and D.A. Finkbeiner purchased a carload of horses in Calgary. These horses were then sold here in Ontario from L. Stanlake's farm. The Saddle Club continued to # grow until now its members own several different breeds. In 1966, the Club sponsored the first Exeter Quarter Horse Show. This show has grown to be one of Ontario's finest outdoor Quarter Horse events. It is now being sponsored by the Exeter Kin- smen.s A well as local shows for club members, 1973 was the third annual Pinto and Appaloosa Show, also sponsored by the Saddle Club. Presidents have been; G.K. Crocker, Ron Swartz, D.A. Fink- beiner, Andy Snelgrove, Ed Brady, Jim Taylor, A.E. Bouge, A.J. Darling, Len Veri, John Burke, D.A. Ecker and Brian Smillie. The present president is Jim Scott. EARLY ADVOCATE ADVOCATE OFFICE — Long before the present newspaper started to publish in Exeter, the town was served by the Reflector, and then the Advocate. On the left (the west side of Main St.) a horse and buggy sits in front of the Advocate Printing Office. In 1924 the Advocate amalgamated with the Times, and this of- fice was shut down. The street in the middle right is James St.