HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-09-27, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007.
After seven years of working at
McNeil’s Auto Body in Brussels
Andrew Southgate decided the time
for a decision had arrived.
“Don and I had talked for a long
time about me eventually taking
over the business, but it wasn’t until
a year ago, that I reached the point
where I realized I either needed to
go ahead or forget it.”
Re-named Southgate Auto
Collision, the business offers the
same services as in the past,
including collision work and every
day rust repair. Southgate said he
also plans on continuing with the
restoration work for which McNeil’s
has been famous.
Southgate has modernized the
shop somewhat bringing in
computerized estimating. “It’s a bit
more efficient.”
He has also looked to the long-
term, with plans to add towing
services and a storage facility to the
business.
Though just 23, Southgate has
shown award-winning status. He
has achieved the inter-provincial
seal on his licence. This is given to
those obtaining high marks in auto
body classes and allows him to work
across Canada.
At Fanshawe he received an award
for top marks in his class and also
took the bronze medal in the Ontario
Skills Competition, against other
apprentices. “Had he won he’d have
gone to Nova Scotia, and if he’d
won that it would have been
Germany,” said McNeil, adding with
a grin, “I shook his hand, wished
him well and hoped he didn’t win.”
“I think bronze is pretty darn
good,” he finished.
While Southgate, whose wife Tara
is expecting their first child, settles
into his new role as boss, McNeil is
not quite ready to retire. “I hope to
be able to work on cars. There’s a
couple of vehicles I have to
finish.”
He extends his appreciation to
everyone who supported him all
these years.
Business gets new owner
It’s officially fall by the calendar.
That’s not news. We’ve known it for
a little while now – the leaves, the
small, the temperature and the
change in our way of thinking. Once
September hits the scene, the
meetings and gatherings begin. The
September expectation is that
everyone is ready to trip into the
new year of school, church and
organizations.
For some of us it’s a bit of a drag
to get into that mind set.
Pride in our rural community is
one of those things that we don’t
always verbalize and acknowledge.
It’s like loving another human; often
we forget to say what we think out
loud.
For the Gorter family, just outside
the village, they had a great
opportunity when daughter Jelma
brought her classmates home from
Redeemer College in Ancaster for a
visit. It reminded all of them why
they live and love it here. Seeing
their farm and the surroundings
through the eyes of the visitors was
a special treat.
When Janine from Ottawa and
Brad from Alberta and Sritz from
South Africa see your home as
awesome, you appreciate it even
more. The fields, the buildings, the
places to swim were all so
impressive to these education
students. Farm life to them has hit a
whole new dimension. The finding
of a glass bottle probably from the
1950s while out walking, cemented
the fact that they will be back and
very soon.
For these students their visit to
our part of Huron County was a
warm and wonder-filled time. So
take a moment and look at your life
and surroundings though new eyes –
we are fortunate folks.
When you get older sometimes
only the negatives are what we
dwell on. As one who appreciates
sending the grandchildren home
after a good visit – that’s a good
thing. The thought of all the work
involved with raising children is
also past – another good thing. The
need to prove who you are to the
world is also no longer necessary –
thank goodness for that.
Folks in the 65-plus set only have
to breathe to get a pension cheque.
Wow! For the folks who have hit 80
I want you to know that someone in
our midst got 100 per cent on her
Ministry testing. Now isn’t that just
the best thing you’ve heard in a
while.
See – getting old is just another
time for possibilities.
Enjoy your week.
Bye now, Betty G.W.
Passing the torch
Or in this case the paint gun. Don McNeil, left, hands over his business to Andrew Southgate
after decades on the job. In back is co-op student Carter Cloakey. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
NEWS
FROM BRUSSELS
By BettyGraberWatsonCall 887-6236
887-9231
A NOTE FROM BETTY
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
Branch 218 Brussels
ELIMINATION DRAW WINNERS
Early Bird Winners - George Adams, Rick McDonald, Gloria Racho
$50.00 - Cheryl Ryan, Bonnie Pennington, Linda Allin, Isabelle
Wheeler, Kay Hesselwood, Jim and Crystal Taylor, Stew Steiss,
Darryl and Janice Marks, Bush Whittard, Stu Taylor, Ruth and Neil
Schade, Robert Clarke, Ken and Linda Bird.
$100.00 - Bessie Johnston $200.00 - Barb Marshall
$300.00 - Ivan Bennewies $400.00 - Sandra Giesbrecht
$500.00 - Isabel Alcock $1,000.00 - Nelson Ryan
Thanks to everyone who supported the draw and fish fry for a
successful 2007 draw for Brussels Legion.
519-887-8011
CAFÉ
401 Turnberry St., Brussels
Friday Night
5 pm - 7 pm
October 5 ~ Stuffed Baked Salmon
with roll and your choice of 2 sides $12.95
October 12 ~ Chicken Cordon Bleu
with roll and your choice of 2 sides $13.95
Mait-Side
Orchard
Apples Apples Apples
Macs, Honey Crisps, Ginger Golds
Honey & Fresh Cider
Open daily
West end of Brussels
519-887-6883
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
St. John Ambulance
Emergency First Aid
with CPR
$65.00
Brussels Fire Hall
on
October
4th, 9th and 16th
at 6:30 pm
Call Betty to register
519-887-9231
BUY? SELL?
TRY CLASSIFIED
Thank You
I, Don McNeil, would like to say thank you to all the
customers of McNeil’s Auto Body over the past 30+ years.
I have worked on all types of vehicles for collision claims,
complete refinish work, rust-out and restorations. I have
taken pride in our workmanship and enjoyed the numerous
long hours spent in the shop.
Many thanks go to my wife Sue for bringing my lunch to
the shop every day for the past five years. I also thank Sue
and my family for all their support over the years. Many
times the kids would come play at the shop just so they
could spend some time with Dad. My son, Dan learned the
auto body trade from me and is now putting his knowledge
to good use at LTI in the building of new automobiles.
I would also like to thank the many Co-op students, auto
body apprentices, mechanics and technicians who have
worked with me.
Andrew Southgate came to me as a Co-op student seven
years ago and has gone on to apprentice with me and topped
his class at Fanshawe College. Andrew also obtained a
bronze medal at last year’s Ontario Skills Competition out of
40 competitors in the category of Collision and Refinish Auto
Body Technician.
I am now passing on my business to Andrew. I know that
he and his staff will continue to serve my customers with
pride and quality workmanship under the new name of
Southgate Auto Collision.
The “Old Guy” will still be at the shop for a while to help
make a smooth transition. Please drop in to say “hi” and
meet Andrew.
Best wishes to Andrew and thanks
again for a great 30 years.
Don McNeil