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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-12-04, Page 16We'll Do the Job Right... .Page Village Inn: the bar is gone but brotherhood remains Times-Advocate, December 4, 1975 .Arnold Desjardine survived by family RETREAT CENTRE activities director Rev. Art Shell and manager Leo Morningstar are occasionally found taking care of business in the dining area of the non-profit Village Inn Retreat and Recreation Centre, Grand Bend, T-A photo Orpha Club Hear report on shower items by Gordon. Bagley Religion and business may go hand in hand but they don't make a profit, That's the opinion of manager Leo Morningstar and program director Rev. Art Shell of the Village Inn Retreat Centre, Grand Bend, Both men are quick to point out the Village Inn is a non-profit organization, As such, they see it as an extension ortne established church — a kind of super- developed, inter-denominational, parish hall, "I see no conflict between this and the local church," Rev. Shell says. "I see this as a real asset to the local congregation if they want to use it." The Inn, formerly a hotel/tavern, owned by Orval Wassman adopted its new, placid image two years ago; when a group of area businessmen bought the place believing their investment would serve the community in a "Christian way." No longer a bar, the Inn now caters to a variety of people in- terested in group study sessions, O.H — Continued from Page 1 A mortgage loans is around 12 percent. McMurray says the loan can be obtained only once and can apply to any home improvement deemed necessary — including connection charges for sewer installation. Because connecting pipes to sewers are located on private property, associated cost can be paid through OHRP. However, costs associated with main line sewers are beyond OHRP, the supervisor adds. The main line is installed beneath the streets, land owned by the municipality. McMurray says Grand Bend will receive $29,000 through OHRP for the fiscal year 1975-76 if it aplies. He says the village can reapply after April 1 for the same amount against the '76-'77 fiscal year. This would give the village $58,000 over two years to pass around eligible home owners wishing to upgrade their houses. The $29,000 is called a recreational activities, or plain relaxation in a quiet atmosphere, To date many church groups, teachers and their families, and such professional groups as the ministries of Health, Culture and Recreation have made use of the Inn. Rev. Shell says professionals find the Inn convenient for workshops and meetings. The church groups find it useful for seminars and recreation; while others simply enjoy the chance to "get away from it all," The Inn isn't just for come and go groups either. Single in- dividuals often stay for long residencies. New manager Leo Mor- ningstar, just a month in Grand Bend, says the retreat centre works hand in hand with organizations such as Adult Rehabilitation Centre (ARC), Dashwood, to provide lodgings for people in need of a place to stay. Leslie East, a recent arrival at "28 James St.", Exeter's new group home and a student at ARC lived at the Inn for a time. The Inn is funded and operated by the Village Inn Retreat and .R.P. Recreation. Services - a chartered non-profit organization. So far, the Inn has not held its own financially because it's not eligible for government funds and its facilities aren't fully utilized by the public. Private donations from in- dividuals on the board of directors for the Inn have saved it so far, but Leo and Rev. Shell want to change all that. Leo, who has studied ac- countancy and has been involved in the hotel business 10 years, says he wants to bring his ex- perience to bear to make the Inn a viable break-even enterprise. He says he'll try to do this by emphasizing the catering service provided by the Inn. Rev. Shell wants to develop the activities program in co- ordination with the Pinery and surrounding tourist areas, making the Inn a year round alternative for vacationers, In particular he's interested in establishing "hiking expeditions to the Bruce penninsula using the Inn as "home base." Both men believe the Inn can survive financially if a variety of services and programs are made available. Still, both men are very aware of the "Christian" side of their endeavor, Rev. Shell is a minister for the Baptist Church in Popular Hill. He studied pastoral education at London Psychiatric Hospital, where he specialized in family life education and personal counselling. Leo has been involved with Christian organizations since his youth. He's attended two Baptist youth conferences in Beirut Lebanon, and he's been happy in the outdoors since his Boy Scout days. And in both men, there is a keyword common to their at- titudes — brotherhood. "The Inn doesn't provide counselling services but we try to get involved, sit down and listen, when someone talks. It's not being your brother's keeper so much as being your brother's brother," Leo says Two small boys were waiting to cross a road in heavy traffic. One said, "Come on, let's go." "No," said the other. "Let's wait for an empty space to come along." The Orpha Club met last Tuesday evening at the home of Mrs. Marty Burke with 22 in attendance. In the absence of President Mrs. C. Kennedy, the meeting was chaired by Mrs. W.F.B. MacLaren and she opened with the poem, "Slow me down Lord," A progress report was given on the Christmas shower articles for Children Aid which will be on display at the next meeting, 4-H girls hold fifth meeting The "Grand Bend Better Batter Bread Beaters" 4-H girls, No I club held their fifth meeting Tuesday evening at Mrs. Jack Smeekens home.Nine girls were in attendance. At this meeting they made cheese puffs and sampled them for lunch. Mrs. Smeekens had baked a loaf of sour dough bread and the girls discussed taste, quality and texture of the bread. Home assignment was to make a 'supper dish or dessert using bread as the main ingredient. The girls studied notes on judging a good loaf of bread. Meetingnext week will be same time and place. December 9th, when the Club holds their Christmas party at Mrs. Roy Flears. The travelling prize was donated by Mrs. Art Finkbeiner and won by Mrs. Fred Brown. Senior Citizens enjoyed an afternoon of crokinole and cards' in the Community Centre Mon- day followed by lunch. The group was invited to join senior citizens at the Shillelagh in Lucan, December 10, when the Molly Maguires will entertain. Euchre party Mr. & Mrs. Frank Hicks and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Blair were in charge of the euchre party in the Community Centre Monday night with 14 tables in play, Prize winners were - ladies' lone hands, Mrs. Georgina Webster; ladies' high score, Mrs. Jack Dickins; low, Mrs. Otto Darling. Men's lone hands, Percy Noels; men's high, Tom Kooy; low, Joe Carter, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Dickins, and Mrs. Leonard Ravelle closed the meeting with the poem "If God went on strike", Assisting the hostess for lunch were Mrs. Jim Cutting and Mrs. Goldie Todd. Mr. & Mrs. Maurice MacDonald will convene the next party. Personals Miss Ada Mitchell of Mont- pelier, Ohio, was a weekend guest at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Mr, & Mrs. Kenneth Hodgins. Other visitors were Miss Marikay Hodgins of London for the weekend, Mrs. Don Pickering and girls of Hyde Park, Saturday. Meeting for Canadian Girls In Training will be resumed with, Mrs. Wayne Greb as leader assisted by Mrs. James Gaunt. Mr. & Mrs. Grant Brown of Sarnia were Sunday visitors with Mr. & Mrs. John Thompson. Mr. & Mrs. Fred . Cunnington visited at the home of their son, Mr." & Mrs. Howard Cunnington and family, Thames Road, Sunday, Funeral services were held Saturday for Arnold Desjardine who passed away at his home on Thursday November 27, 1975. Surviving are his wife Janet (Turnbull) one daughter (Valerie) Mrs, Robert Syer of Merryhill, Ont., three sons, Ray of Ooderich, Ross of RR 4, Parkhill, Russell at home, two sisters (Millie) Mrs, John Ryan of Millis,Mas.s„ Ella Desjardine of Toronto, one brother Ira of RR 1, Dashwood, two grandchildren Holy Spirit dynamics talk Special Evangelistic services, with the theme, "Holy Spirit Dynamics," were held Friday evening, all day Saturday and evening and Sunday afternoon and evening, in the United Church, sponsored by the Mennonite church of Zurich. Special speakers were Herman Riffel, Minister at Large at the First Baptist church at Monroe, Michigan, George Elsasser, Pastor of McArthurs Mills Mennonite church, and Clayton Kuepfer, Pastor of Zurich Mennonite church. Special music was given by the Woodburn family of London, which consists of Dad and Mom and their ten children. Shauna Lee and Robert Ben- jamin. Funeral service was held at T, Harry Hoffman funeral home with Pastor Ivor ' 13odenharn officiating, Interment in Grand Bend cemetery, Pallbearers were John Hotson, Larry Taylor, Rick Hendrick, Jim Desjardine Wayne Miller and Keith Gill. Mr, Desjardine was in his 60th year. 3rd yr. craft show There was a lovely display of crafts at the third annual Craft Fair, bake sale and tea, held Saturday, at the Anglican Parish hall, sponsored by the Women's Institute. Exhibitors were: Pottery, Mrs, Helen West, Macrame, Melanie West; Hand embroidery, Irene Gill; Ceramics, Mrs. Ed Gill, Mrs. Nola Taylor; Paintings, Jim Bishop; Transart plaques, Mrs, Bruce Houck. Crochet articles and stuffed toys, Mrs, Ernie Wetton & Mrs. Edna Milburn of Ravenswood; cushions & novelties, Mrs. Wm. Campbell, Kincardine; painted china, Mrs. McCharles, Lucknow; Christmas decorations and novelties, Mrs, Evelyn Evers & Mrs. Jean Phillips of Lucknow; Jewellery, candy and knitted articles, Mrs. Stuart Pole; novelties, Mrs. Annie Morenz. "revolving account" according to the supervisor. That is, money must be circulating at all times for purposes of home im- provement. Interest gained on repayment of loans must be re- channelled back into the OHRP fund and redistributed among low-income applicants. McMurray says an OHRP fund can be withdrawn if the account isn't being utilized. "The purpose of OHRP is to increase the life- span of a home by 10-15 years through renovation," he adds. Of the $29,000, Grand Bend council is appropriated $2,900 (10 percent) for general ad- ministration costs such as paper work and hiring inspectors to assess repairs required by a property. McMurray also points out council can't grant or loan money beyond the $29,000 including general adminstration expenses. "Obviously, if you lend out $28,000, 10 percent of that is *„. $2,800. Combined they add up to more than the money available," McMurray explains • By MRS. FRED BOWDEN Whatever the project, call on us for Ready-Mix Concrete • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • FARM (Including Manure Tanks) FREE ESTIMATES C. A. McDOWELL LTD. CENTRALIA, ONTARIO ; Plant: 235-0833 Office: 228-6961 ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY shell FOR LEASE CAR WASH and GAS BAR MAIN ST. and ALEXANDER ST., EXETER • Excellent trade area • Completely renovated facility • Latest equipment • Professional management training FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: JOE VIOLA, Sr. Marketing Representative OFFICE-1-471-4550 LONDON or HOME - 1-869-4268 SARNIA ..•1 • • in • •mnoom immosionswommo woo.n ••••••