HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 124FIRST RODEO - The first Midwestern Rodeo was held in Exeter in 1967 and the park was one of the busiest
spots in the community as members of the Rodeo -Committee and their helpers completed installation of
facilities. Here, Bill Mclean, Dr. Don Ecker and local veterinarian Dick Roelofson readies with hammers in
boarding the pens that held the wild steers.
SOUTHCOTT BROS.
ESTABLISHED IN
1926. SUCCESSORS
TO J.A. STEWART
AND
RANTON BROS.
We've changed the store front
GOULD AND
JORY
ESTABLISHED
IN 1953
Back, Alma Preszcator, Doug Gould, Doris Ellerington,Jim Glew, Amelia Acheson,
Valerie Gould, Florence Gould and Ted Chaffe. Front, Laura Sillery, Ray Jory,
Marjorie Jory and Erna Allison.
And the mode of transportation
LA. (1,L-' Ei CHILDREN 5WEAR
ilk1PiR2E5 CHINA.
But we still have the friendliest clerks -
and the widest array of merchandise in town
• Mens, Boys, Ladies, Misses
and Children's Wear
GOULD & JORY • •
sth YardunwGorooc!s • Luggage
y Wallpapers
Dial 235.0270 Exeter • Paints • Carpet & Flooring
Sales & Installation
4
D,A, FIN KBE IN ER
D.A. ECKER, M.D.
Rodeo in the Exeter area was
first introduced in 1955 when
Wilmer Preszcator convinced
D.A. Finkbeiner to help him with
the idea.
A third horseman, Ron Swartz
of Centralia was talked into
joining them in their first ven-
ture.
A load of horses was shipped in
from the Calgary Spring Sale.
But veterinary bills absorbed any
profit when most of the animals
came down with distemper.
Undaunted, the three went on
and ordered the necessary
material for a rodeo arena. But
only some of it was installed in
the spring and summer of 1956.
When no further action had
been taken the following year to
complete the arena, Ron Swartz
asked to dissolve the partnership
and purchased Preszcator's
share of the materials.
Little was done until Len Veri
arrived in Exeter and agreed to
form a new partnership with
Finkbeiner and Preszcator. A
new ring, chutes and holding pens
were built on Veri's land at Con. 3
of Stephen Township, just over
the fence from the original site of
the uncompleted 1956 arena.
The first rodeo held there was a
success because many Ontario
people had never seen one before.
Plagued by uncooperative
weather, the next few years the
three owners found themselves
faced with mounting financial
obligations.
After the 1966 rodeo, another
wet one, they met with town
officials to discuss the possibility
of holding the next one at the
community park and
fairgrounds. The advantage of
this location, other than being in
town, was the covered grand-
stand.
After many meetings, Fink-
beiner and Preszcator became
aware that they had little to
claim because all the chutes and
the ring were on Veri's property.
When he wouldn't sell the
materials to the town group, the
other two decided to join the,
townsmen.
A board of directors was
chosen to form the Mid-Western
Rodeo Association and they
decided to build a completely new
ring in the community park.
The directors were chosen
from the following town
organizations: Exeter Saddle
Club, Kinsmen, Lions, Exeter
Legion, R.A.P., Agricultural
Society, Board of Trade and the
Industrial Commission.
R.F. Roelofson, D.V.M. was the
first chairman and Finkbeiner,
the secretary. Preszcator
became the rodeo's arena
director.
The cost of the entire project,
which would include moving the
baseball diamond, was $5,000.
Clubs were asked for donations in
return for their choice of con-
cessions at the rodeo.
More money was raised by
selling advertising space above
the bucking chutes and holding a
pancake breakfast on Main
AR- Street during Exeter's "Fun
Day." They also sold raffle
tickets on the rodeo
pony", thus creating excellent
publicity as well as more money.
The entire arena and the new
baseball diamond with its lights
were completed with volunteer
workers from the different
organizations.
The first rodeo in Exeter was
held on Labour Day weekend, in
1967. The weather was beautiful
and over 8,000 people came to the
two performances.
Many people in the Sunday
crowd had come to see CFPL
radio personality, Bill Brady.
Bill had been invited to ride
Black Dynamite, "a wild outlaw
bronc from the west."
He accepted and during his
morning pro-grams, many calls
came in from his listeners
warning him not to risk his life..
Invaluable publicity was cer-
tainly gained in this way.
When Bill finally came out of
Chute No. 5 that afternoon, on a
bucking donkey, 'the crowd
showed their approval with loud
cheering and applause.
Since then, Bill Brady has been
a steady attraction at every
rodeo often trying his hand at the
various events, but usually with
an added personal touch that has
delighted his fans.
When the money had all been
counted, the Association found it
had enough to pay its expenses
and return all donations as well.
Profits from the following
years are used to sponsor a
Bronco hockey team, assist with
repairs to the grandstand, and
help crippled children.
The rodeo has grown from a
two to a three performance show
and many additional seats have
been purchased for the large
crowds. Outside help is now
necessary to manage the many
duties of operating this event.
Exeter has now become known
as a rodeo town. Spectators and
the cowboys themselves have
paid tribute to the management
of the rodeo for its excellent
facilities, friendly atmosphere
and smooth operation,
ONE OF FINEST HOUSES
NOW BEING TORN DOWN
JOTTINGS BY JMS
(Nov. 28, 1957)
What at one time was con-
sidered one of the finest homes in
Exeter is now being torn down for
a new home for the nurses at the
South Huron Hospital.
The building is opposite the
hospital and is one of the oldest
landmarks in Exeter. Much of the
building has been demolished, a
few rooms having been left to be
used for storage while the new
building is being erected.
The home was built by Mr.
Joseph Acheson, grandfather of
Charles and Amelia Acheson of
the Central Hotel, and has
changed hands a number of
times.
Following the Achesons, it was
owned by Arthur Rollins, who
with, Mr. Williams, of Zurich,
built the Cann flour mill.The next
occupant was A.E. Bennett, a
clerk with J.A. Stewart.
Mr. R. N. Rowe, funeral
director and furniture dealer,
grandfather of R.C. Dinney who
is now carrying on the business,
purchased the residence from
Mr. Bennett.
For a number of years we lived
beside the Rowe family and
many a game of tennis was
played on the Rowe lawn.
Some of the older ones will
remember the funeral hearse
owned by Mr. Rowe. It was a high
black hearse with plumes at the
corners and dark drapes on the
inside. It was drawn by black
horses covered with a black net.
In winter runners were sub-
stituted for wheels. It was in the
days when livery stables
flourished and for the mourners
carry-ails were provided along
with fur robes that have long
since disappeared. Mr. Rowe was
the proud possessor of the first
motor hearse that came to
Exeter.
Following the death of Mrs.
Rowe the home was sold to Wm.
Penhale on his retirement from
the farm. The last owner was Dr.
E.S. Steiner, veterinary, who sold
the property to the hospital
authorities and moved to the
United States.
Mrs. Steiner is affectionately
remembered by many readers of
The Times-Advocate as "Gram"
with her interesting column of
household recipes.
Section 1, Page 36 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973
Rodeo blossomed
into big attraction