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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-12-31, Page 7Service is the name of the game at George McGrath's McGrath recently expanded his restaurant space. Let Us Hear r" From You! If you know of a young wupla recently married or about to be just fill in this coupon and mail to our office. We will start a 6 month subscription for the newlyweds as our wedding gift. NAME OF NEWLYWEDS DATE MARRIED cZke xeferTcitoo-,A6tiociate Bo* 855, 55SW. Onvitio 235 1331 MINI MARVELS — The youngest group of skaters won the hearts of the audience at the annual Variety Ice Show, held last March at the Lucan arena. From left the show stealers are Tim Carter, Tonya Butchart, Paula Hodgins, Jeff Hirtzel, and Sherry Smith. T-A photo Junior choir sing at Cromarty New correspondent required Times-Advocate, December 31, 1975 Page 7 By MRS. DAVID KESTLE CLANDEBOYE Mr. & Mrs. S. Cunningham and family, Mr, & Mrs. D. Newman and family, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kestle, London, Nancy and Nathan Skinner and M, Staley, London, were Sunday guests with Mr. & Mrs. D. Kestle and Janis when they celebrated Christmas early. Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Lewis held family Christmas on Boxing Day with Mr. & Mrs. D. Lewis, Mrs, G, Leger and Karen, London, Mr, & Mrs. D, Roger and children, Ana and Brenda Lewis, Fred Smith and Mrs, Florence Mr. & Mrs, John Brownlee and children, Gravenhurst are spending the holidays with Mr. & Mrs. Ken Carter. Stephen Carter was, a guest on Christmas Day. Archie Robertson, Kitchener, is at home with Mr. & Mrs. J. Robertson, Janie and Andrew. Mr. & Mrs, Keith Simpson and David held Christmas at their home with Mrs. W. Simpson, Mrs. Wm Simpson was a guest with Mr. & Mrs, Keith Simpson and David, Saturday. Mrs. J. Donaldson's Christmas was merry and busy when all members of her family, 28 children and grandchildren enjoyed the holiday together. Mr. & Mrs. Keith Simpson, David; Mr. & Mrs, P. Shipley, Jamie, Tim and Shannon; Mr, & Mrs. W. Redick and Guy, Lucan, were with Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Blake and celebrated Christmas on Boxing Day. Mr. & Mrs. Tom Kestle were with Mr. & Mrs. K. Ross, Thedford, for Christmas Day, Mr, & Mrs, Andrew Carter spent Christmas with Mr, & Mrs. P. Groenewegen, Mr. & Mrs. Rupert Williams entertained their families, Mr. & Mrs. Jim McComb and family, Birr, Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Williams and family, Lobo, Mr. Lorne Friends welcomed. at Clandeboye Derbyshire from Komoka Nursing Home spent the day with them and Mrs, Derbyshire on Christmas Day, Mr, & Mrs. Bruce Pescod and family entertained Mr. & Mrs. Pescod, Sr., St. Thomas, for a few days and spent Christmas together. New neighbours have taken up residence in the Paton home place. Mr. & Mrs. Peter Nott — we wish them well and hope they enjoy life in the country, Mr. & Mrs. Ed Armstrong had an enjoyable Christmas with all their family together; Mr. & Mrs, Marcus and family, Elaine Armstrong, Montreal, and Larry Armstrong and Debbie Wallace who have recently returned from the West, Stephen Carter, Hi Thompson, and Frank Miller, Exeter, left Christmas night for Florida. Mr. & Mrs. C. K. Carter and family, Mr. & Mrs. P. Banks and family, Mrs. M. J. Simpson, Sybil Stephenson,`Ailsa Craig, Mrs. G. Maines were in Kirkton for Christmas Day with Mr. & Mrs. John Simpson. Mrs. Blake and Wilmer, Mr. & Mrs. N. Blake were Christmas guests with Mrs.• Loreen Schrigley, London. Mrs. A. Hodgins attended the funeral of her aunt, Mrs. Minnie Squires, Monday. J, & T. Murphy Christmas dinner dance was held at the Shillelagh with 230 bus drivers, mechanics and their spouses in attendance. Mr, & Mrs. S. L. Harrison, Chris and Leslie were hosts Christmas Day to 40 relatives and friends. Mr. & Mrs. Angus McLean, Allan and Peter were guests with Mr. & Mrs. A. Hodgins, Pat and Paul for Christmas, Miss Laura Hodgins was home also. Mr, & Mrs. Maurice Hettrick, Kirkland Lake spent Christmas and Kevin, Mr. Aube of Wood- stock and Mrs. Wes Johns of Exeter visited with Mr. & Mrs. Howard Johns and family during the Christmas holidays. Mr. & Mrs. Larry Fulton and Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Fulton visited with Mr. & Mrs. Sam Hutton on Boxing day. Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Cooper ' visited with Mr. & Mrs. Al Townson of Mitchell. Mr. & Mrs. George Kellett visited Saturday night with Miss Verda Kellett. Mr. & Mrs. Terry Johns of Exeter, Michael Elford, Ken Kadey and Pauline Masnica visited Sunday night with Mr. & Mrs. John Batten, Ralph and Helen. Mary Johns is spending a few days with Mr. & Mrs. Bob Waddell of Toronto. Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Cooper visited Sunday evening with Mr, & Mrs. Doug Johnston and family of Lucan. Miss Pauline Masnica is spending a few days with Mr. & Mrs. John Batten and Ralph and Helen, Mr. & Mrs. Ken Lovie of Shipka, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Morley and family, Gerald Morley and family and Cathie Horrell were Sunday guests with Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Cooper and family. Mr. Amos and Herman Herd- man spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs. Squire Herdman. Mr. & Mrs. Bob Coates and girls of Exeter, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Neil and Christopher of Exeter, Mr. & Mrs, Horace Delbridge and Bruce and Mr. & Mrs. Fred Delbridge and Anne visited boxing day with Mr. & Mrs. Squire Herdman, holidays with Mrs. Agnes Hor- nell. Gerry Gill, Toronto, visited with. Mr. & Mrs, G. Simpson and called on Mrs. W. Simpson, Dennis Little spent the holiday with his parents in London. Mr. & Mrs. D. Kestle and Janis were with Nancy and Nathan Skinner, Mr, & Mrs, Don Francis and boys, London were visitors Saturday with Mr. & Mrs, A. Lewis, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Groff and Miss Christine Hennig, Fergus, . were Sunday visitors with Mr. & Mrs. J. Robertson. Twenty-seven children, grandchildren and great grand- children of Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Millson celebrated Christmas at the home of Mr. & Mrs, Gerald Millson. They came from Ottawa, Cambridge, Kitchener, London, Guelph and Aylmer, O.P.P. Don Millson, Guelph, spent Sunday and Monday with his grandparents and left Mon- day afternoon with a friend for a week's vacation in Florida. Mr. & Mrs. Norman Blake have moved into their new home on the 4th of McGillivray. I am giving up my position as correspondent. I wish to thank all those people who willingly gave their news items for the Clan- deboye section, for the length of time I have been the correspondent. I wish to thank Rev. Westhaver celebrated "Advent" by the lighting of the four candles. The first two were lit by Kevin Steeper assisted by Bradley Steeper, The third Sunday, Dale and Heather Fenton took part while on the fourth Sunday, Kevin and Bradley Steeper again did the honors. After the church service a dinner was prepared for all members of the congregation, followed by a short program of musical numbers by Kim Amos, Karen Hodgson, Cindy Prest, Dale Fenton, and Mrs. Jack Trevithick and Douglas Lewis. Mrs. Westhaver gave the Christmas Story and Heather Fenton a recitation; followed by a bag of treats for each child. Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Gilbert of London, Mrs. Greta George, and I Mr, & Mrs. Stuart McIntosh of Arkona visited recently with Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Morley. Mr. & Mrs, Alan Hodgson and family of Vancouver B.C. are spending sometime with the latter's mother Mrs. Mary Amos and Bill. Bert Greenlee of Exeter visited Mr. & Mrs. Jim Morley last Wednesday afternoon. Mr. 8'i Mrs. George Prest were at the staff' dinner at the Chateau Gardens last Sunday. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hodgins, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Lewis, Ruth, Viola, Rae and Elmer Lewis were at Mr. & Mrs. Wilbert Lewis' Wednesday evening to celebrate Wilbert's birthday. Wednesday evening Mrs. Lois Whittard, Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Odd, Mr. & Mrs. George Prest and family and Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Sadler and family with Mr. Cecil Ellwood. Christmas Day visitors were: Mr. & Mrs. Jack Trevithick, Mr. & Mrs. Don Newey and family of Kingston; Neil & Ruth Trevithick of Toronto, and Bill Johnson of Parkhill with Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Walker and family of Greenway. Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Amos and family of Exeter, Mr. & Mrs. Allen Amos and family, Mr. & Mrs. Ambrose Koricina and family, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Rosser and Barbara with Mr. & Mrs. Joe Amos. Mr. & Mrs. Fred Lewis, the T-A for their kindness and wish all a good year in 1976. Blessings to one and all, Eleanor Kestle. The Same to You It was a pleasant surprise to open our door one evening last week to Christmas carollers, a group of 30 happy smiling faces belonging to the youth of the area to sing to us and wish us a Merry Christmas, We senior folk feel com- plimented when young peopk., call on us whether it be to show their Halloween faces or to extend Seasons Greetings. We have long been proud of the young people of the community and rejoice that the group of singers who came from the surrounding area have been doing many kindly deeds. Knowing what these young people are trying to accomplish must make their parents proud, Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Ovens received word that their nephew Rev. Leroy Davis and family home on furlough from Kenya, Africa, had a miraculous escape from death while traveling through the Rocky Mountains in B.C. Their truck camper and trailer rolled down the side of the mountain and the vehicles!were totally destroyed, The family escaped with minor injury. By OLIVE OVENS Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hodgins of Strathroy, Mr. & Mrs. Wilbert Lewis and Carolyn, & Mike Horner with Mr. & Mrs. Carman Lovie and family of Grand Bend. Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Morley, Gordon and Kathleen Morley with Mrs. Violet Allison, Mr. & Mrs Bob Hodgins and family, Mr, & Mrs. Joe Durand and Adam of London with Mr. & Mrs. Jim Morley. Mr. & Mrs. Harold Corbett and Mr. J. Alex Young of Lucan spent Christmas Day with Mr. & Mrs. Charles Corbett and family. The candlelight communion was Christmas eve at St. Mary's Brinsley church. Tuesday evening the St. Marys' church had their Sunday School party. Children put on a program under the direction of Christine Dixon and Bonnie Morgan. Santa arrived at the close of the party. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Corbett & family were at Ilderton Friday for Christmas. Mr. & Mr,s. Don Hodgins were hosts. By MRS. ROBERT LAING The Junior Choir led in the singing of Christmas carols preceding the White Gift service at Cromarty Presbyterian Church on Christmas Sunday. During the service, the choir sang Come, Gather Round, and Ring the Bells. The younger children of the Sunday School occupied the front seats of the church and presented their white envelopes of money which will be sent to CARE. Rev, Wilfred Jarvis spoke on the Joy of the coming of Jesus as found in the first chapter of John. Personals Several from Cromarty at- tended the carol sing in Carmel Church, Hensall, Sunday evening. Mrs. Stanley Dow entertained her family to a Christmas dinner at the Berkley Restaurant in Exeter. Present were Mr. & Mrs. Eldon Allen, Mr. & Mrs. Mervin Dow, Mr, & Mrs. Elmer Dow, Roger Dow, Mr, & Mrs, Rusgell In the rest rooms of all BP's larger service stations in Ontario and Quebec, there are cards which can be mailed post-paid to BP Canada head office in Mont- real. The cards ask one question: "May we have your comments please . favorable or otherwise? Thank you.- On the average, about 30 cards a month are sent from customers who have passed through George McGrath's station at the junction of Highways 7 and 4 in Elgin- field, Ont., and for good reason. George treats his station as if it were his home which happens to be on the two-acre station property about 150 feet from the mini-service centre. What do those 30 cards a month say? "For the most part comments are favourable; a few complain or else pass along a humorous comment or two." Miller and Mr. & Mrs. Jack Butson, Staffa, and Mr. & Mrs, Lorne Doupe, Science Hill, Nancy Allen and Barbara Kerslake, London, spent their Christmas holiday with their parents Mr. & Mrs. Eldon Allen and Mr. & Mrs. Everard Ker- slake, respectively. David Scott, Calgary, spent Christmas with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Thos. L, Scott. David now works in a boar-building business which he helped form. Mrs. John Jefferson, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Laing and family, and Mr, & Mrs. Gordon Laing and family, spent Christmas at a Jefferson family gathering at the home Of Mr, & Mrs. Donald Riehl, Seebach's Bill The family of Mr, & Mrs. Otto Walker gathered at their home on Christmas Day. Their 28 guests included Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Currie and family, Dorchester, Kenneth Walker, Mr. & Mrs. Alex Walker and family, Mr. & Mrs. Jack McGhee, London; Mr. & Mrs. Bob liulley and family, Win. HP London district manager Frank Vita termed the customer response to McGrath's outlet "simply amazing." The 44-year-old McGrath says his operation is "now in perfect order." A year ago. it was lack- ing one important thing: enough seating capacity in the restaurant section to accom- modate the hundreds of hungry people who would visit each weekend particularly during the summer months. In October 1974, he approached BP with the idea of expanding the restaurant section and suggested the bay area be used as a dining room. The plans were drawn-up but the single bay's tall ceiling was not right for a com- fortable dining room; besides the station would lose the advantage of oil-change and tire-change capabilities. BP sent their renovation ex- throp; Mr. & Mrs. Larry Gar- diner and family, Cromarty; and Miss Maria Bernadete Maia of Belo Horizonte in Brazil. Miss Maia 'is spending three months with the Hulley family. At Mervin Dow's for Christmas were Mr.& Mrs. Bill Worthington and Leslie Ann, Kitchener; Mr. & Mrs. Thos, L. Scott and David, Mr. & Mrs. John Scott and Christopher and Mr, & Mrs. Brian Dow, Cromarty. Mr. & Mrs, Ivan Norris and family spent Christmas day,with Mr. & Mrs, Harvey Bailie, Byron, and also visited with their daughter Kathy who is a patient in St. Joseph's Hospital, London, after having fallen off her sled and breaking her leg. John Norris, Munro, spent Boxing Day With Mr, & Mrs. Ivan Norris. Boxing Day guests with Mr. & Mrs. Robert Laing were Mr. & Mrs. Alex Zimmer, Stratford, Heather McPhail spent Christmas with her parents Mr,& Mrs, Ross McPhail. pert, Eric Eints, to take a look at the situation. His immediate reaction was that "the bay should stay and that a dining room should be constructed at the far end of the building where a canopy already existed for pic- nickers". The plan was accepted and construction finished early in July giving McGrath added restaurant space with 26 more seats. "It gives a dining room effect and it will definitely help sales here by bringing in more people. There are also more gas sales in the summer but the restaurant is busy year-round so this expan- sion has proved important to us for present as well as future business," he said. McGrath's large staff il- lustrates the restaurant's pop- ularity. In the gas and mechanical side of the business, there are three employees while By GORDON BAGLEY The ghost almost quit on me today. Almost wouldn't start. I don't know what I'd do without the spirit around, especially at Christmas time. But it still likes me, even though I drive it too hard for its age and more than once have almost let it run out of gas. The ghost has a lot of miles on it. It went around the world at least five times before it came into my hands. The ghost is gray by the way — not dark gray, a brighter shade of gray; thunderstorm gray. My dog and I used to drive in the ghost a lot, I've never told you about my dog before. He was called Chip. I grew up with him. He lived until he was 14. Chip was a Christmas present. Chip loved to ride in the ghost. He'd sit up in the front seat like he was your best friend and watch the traffic go by. Chip didn't like the trucks. Everytime a truck would pass us on the highway Chip would bark a couple of times. I never did figure out what he was trying to say. But from the look of him, you knew it wasn't exactly polite. Thinking back though, I'd probably say Chip didn't like trucks because one ran over him once; when he was just a pup. It wasn't the trucker's fault, it was mine, I hadn't taught Chip about cars. Anyway, he survived, but the accident hurt his tail bone so that he walked a little sideways — like John Wayne in the westerns. I'll say this, it never slowed him down. I once let him run along side the ghost and clocked him at 30 miles an hour. I'm sure he could have broken the speed limit, but that would have been irresponsible... The ghost was cold and covered with snow when I inserted the key and turned the ignition. It coughed a couple of times, made a whining sound that subsided. "Oh no," I thought, "and today's deadline day for the paper." I had been sick all week toO, which didn't help matters. Being sick leaves you short tempered. I tried to start it again. Nothing. Something was the matter. The ghost starts even in the coldest weather. It's funny how a machine can play tricks on you. If your car 14 work in the restaurant. McGrath works hard to support the facility and protect his $45,- 000 investment spent over the past year in both the service sta- tion and restaurant equipment. But McGrath does not mind the challenge. It has been the story of his life. Born in New- foundland, he joined the merchant marines and sailed from New York at age 16. In 1957, he joined the Canadian Guards to spend seven years in West Germany, the last'four as a sergeant. For two years, he worked on the Ford of Canada assembly line in Talbotville before moving to Elginfield and taking over the service station operation in 1971. Having a trained and friendly staff allows McGrath to take oc-, casional breaks to pursue favorite sports; hunting and fishing, won't start you can do the strangest things. Especially when you're sick and tired. I put out my cigarette and just sat there. Didn't try to get it started. Didn't get out and lift the hood to look for a faulty con- nection or check the battery. I just sat there with my breath freezing on the windshield and thought about Chip. I remembered Chip as a good old dog. I remembered when he grew old and the cataracts made it hard for him to get around. I remembered him when the rheumatism made it hard for him to even walk sideways. He was still a good old dog. People get short-tempered with pets once they aren't useful anymore — some people do. When Chip was old, all he liked to do was eat and sleep and walk around the back yard sniffing at trees where he and the squirrels had been. Chip used to terrify the squirrels... "There", I thought, "the ghost started." Some of the cylinders weren't firing properly, and the oil light came on. I made a mental note to get that checked the next time I bought gas. When I pulled out on the street I had to remove my breath from the inside of the windshield with the heel of my hand. The sun was shining. It made the ice and snow gold as fire. "It's two days before Christ- mas," I thought,"and I don't feel it yet," It felt that way because this is the first Christmas Chip wasn't around, a • By KATHY COOPER ELIMVILLE The Thames Rd. & Elimville Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service was held Wednesday evening in Elimville. Mr. Earl Stephen spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs. Bill Jeffery ,• of Harmony. , Mr. & Mrs: Bill koutly spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs, Jerry Rannie and family of Brantford. Mr. & Mrs. Larry Fulton, Mr. & Mrs. Doug Fulton and boys of Stratford and Mr. & Mrs. Reuben Pehlke of Monkton spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs, Alvin Fulton. Mr. & Mrs. Jake Hovius of Sarnia area and Miss Joan Kerslake spent Christmas with, Mr. & Mrs. Ross Skinner and family. Mr. & Mrs. John Batten, Helen and Ralph, Mr. Ken Kadey and Miss Pauline Masnica spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs. Lewis- Johns. Miss Verda Kellett spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs, George Kellett and family. , Mr. & Mrs. Don Parsons and family of Hensall and Mr. & Mrs. Richard Willard of Hensall spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Cooper. Mr. & Mrs. Ken Lovie of Shipka, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Morley and family of Exeter, Mr. Gerald Morley and family of Exeter and Miss Cathie Horrell of Exeter spent Christmas with Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Cooper and family. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Sweitzer of London, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Waddell of Toronto, Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Shannon, Michael and Katie of Sarnia, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Johns Candelight service at church SAFETY SNOWMOBILE WINNERS — A nior safety contest was a feature of last Woodharn Winter Carnival. From the left are boys winner Mark Bearss, girls runner-up winner Susan Schaefer and boys runner-up Scott Brintnell. Placing first and second i were Doug McIntosh and Graham Ross. February's Kirkton, Lana Marshall, girls n another category T-A photo By GORDON MORLEY Ghost almost quits chips at Christmas