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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 109Conlinuaaort School, axe% Oat. YOUR HOST FOR QUICK DELICIOUS SNACKS . . . Garry Spencer Highway 4 North Exeter recreation, parks among the best anywhere Section 1, Page 21 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973 BRIDGE OVER RIVER - The picture calls this scene "Exeter's Main St.", but it looks more like the middle of the country. This photo shows the bridge over the AuxSable river at the north end of town in 1909. The boardwalk across the bridge was on the west, Gord Baynham, Chairman Recreation, Arena and Parks, all three of these have always played a big part in the com- munity of Exeter, In the old Dome Rink, were the great hockey teams of the 1920's, the Cyclone League, in the 4, present arena during the next two decades and the Senior B in the `50's. Then there were the Junior C and D teams of the '60's and 70's. Early hard ball teams played all over southern Ontario and with the hockey teams, brought a few Ontario championships home with them, Because of the growth of recreation in Exeter and to make full use of existing facilities, Mayor Simmons formed the RAP committee. In 1962, the Com- munity centre Centre Board and the Recreation Committee joined together under one board. The board consisted of seven mem- bers, two of these are also on the council. In the ten years that have passed, we believe that our community leads in this area. The arena and fair grounds were the start. Then the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority built the wading pool in Victoria Park. The Kinsmen engaged a land- scape architect to draw plans for Riverview Park in 1960. By 1967, with the co-operation of the Ausable valley authority, the Legion and the Lions club, a fine park and picnic area was developed. In 1963 the District Swimming Pool Committee built the pool, making a well rounded recreation area. The town acquired the bowling green property in 1972, This, RAP hopes to expand into a recreation area for our Senior Citizens. Over the last 20 years, this organization has filled a great peed in the lives of a sometimes forgotten people as far as recreation is concerned. Our activities for the young people are, we hope adequate for all age groups, from ballet, gymnastics and figure skating to hockey, baseball, soccer, lacrosse,and swimming of course. This covers the ages from four to 20 years. We have a full time staff of three, in the summer 15 are employed in the park. The programs operate on a budget of $100,000 a year. Of this, $33,000 is a town grant and the rest is from provincial grants, registration fees and rentals. RAP chairmans have been Tom McMillan, Stan Frayne, Ron i0i 101 Bogart and Gordon Baynham. The present members are Lee Dobbs, Ruth Durand, Jack Underwood, Bruce Shaw, Derry Boyle, Bob Pooley and Gordon Baynham. 10r 0t 0' We hope that we have done an adequate job for the people of Exeter and community. We will endeavour to keep up the progress as long as time and money permit, 'CR Beating husksters at their own game lOt • By REV. DUNCAN McTAVISH It was Fall Fair time, I had always made it a practice to take in that annual event. I found it a good time to mingle with the people, and enjoy the festivities. Having been raised on the farm, I still retained a lively interest in the exhibits of grain, vegetables, and livestock, I was especially interested in the horses. The tractors had not as yet taken over, and there were some wonderful teams of heavy draft horses, to say nothing of some fancy carriage outfits. A• small midway were there, where a few concessioners had gathered to pick up a few easy dollars from the more gullible of the crowd, But, we were in the early years of the Depression, and the picking wasn't too easy. Among this crowd were two weight guessers, equipped with a sort of tripod contraption, from which was suspended the scales, and a seat on which the one being weighed sat, after he had been carefully examined, and an estimate made of his avoir- dupois. You paid a quarter for the privilege, and if he failed to come within a few pounds of your exact weight, you got a small box of chocolates. If he guessed correctly, you were out your quarter. I had just weighed myself the day before, and decided now was the time to test the veracity of these men. I had always been a bit suspicious as to their in- tegrity. I stepped up to the first man - paid my quarter, and after due examination he stated my weight. I sat down upon the seat, The needle on the scales began to jump around until the manager put his hand on the frame. Then it settled down at a weight that put me within his guess. I was out my quarter. I knew he was wrong, but there was nothing I could do about it. I went on to the next fellow only to receive the same treatment, I was being gyped but I had no way of knowing how, I was annoyed and determined to get even with those fellows. On the grounds was an elderly man who lived near me. He was a big fellow, with an enormous paunch that weighed at least forty pounds, I looked him up and suggested he come and get weighed. He refused until I told him I would pay the shot. I was determined I would get even with them. I gave him a few instructions on how to pull in his belly, so as to fool them. By this time a number of fellows caught on as to what was happening, and went along to see the fun, The guesser looked him over carefully and gave his figure. The old man sat down upon the scales. The needle spun around but finally stopped. The guesser was about twenty-five pounds out. I reached for my first box of chocolates, On to the next fellow we went. By this time my friend was getting good at his act. The second man was nearly forty pounds out. I had won my second box of candy which I gave to my neighbor, All told, my candy had cost me a dollar, but I was satisfied. I had proved to myself that these men had some way of defrauding the public, and I had beaten them at their own game. It was the paunch that did it. That scene all came back to me the other day, as I rode through that town, and saw great crowds emerging from the Exhibition Grounds. It was Fair Day in town, and the crowd was on hand to see and hear what was going on. I couldn't help wondering if there were weight guessers there. Janice Davey, Judy Parsons, Marlene Moore, Helma Peitsch, Elaine Overholt, Joan Kerslake and Bonnie Dale 0 111 111 111 0 13 The DERBY DIP Highway 4 South When friends drop in for a visit during centennial . . treat them to some chicken, burgers, hot dogs, shrimp or ice cream from Exeter's 2 popular eating spots. 41 IP THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE - The Exeter Public School, above, was built in 1875 on Victoria St., west of the present elementary school, It was erected to replace the old school house which was located on the east side of Andrew St., north of Victoria St. From the left, Linda Jones, Elizabeth Rasenberg, Miriam Rasenberg, Barb Ferguson and Sharon Jones DI 11:1i 101