HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-07-25, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990.
Toys for bigger boys, a model hobby
BY BONNIE GROPP
“Something that just kind of
happened” are the words used by a
Brussels man in describing a hobby
he began about two years ago.
After a woman requested an origi
nal gift for her husband, Murray
Long built his first model truck of
pine, and since then has crafted
lasting keepsakes for several oth
ers.
As a contractor. Murray says he
found himself often without much
work during the winter so he
started constructing wooden toys
for children. Though these were
animated, Murray explains, that
with children's desire today for
pushbutton technology, he couldn’t
sell the produce and soon found his
basement over run. Then a local
woman asked him to apply his
talents to create a model truck as a
gift for her husband and the
concept caught on. I had the first
model at the sidewalk sale during
last year’s FunFest and got some
orders,” he said. “That’s when
things really got started.”
Since then Murray has made a
replica of Howard Bernard’s fuel
truck, a tractor trailer for Gerald
Blake, and a model train for Wayne
Lowe. He has completed two
classic automobiles; a car that is his
own pride and joy and a ’28 Chev
truck, now owned by J. L. McCut
cheon. His most recent order is for
a combine, which he says should
present “quite a challenge.”
Murray explains that his crea
tions are modelled from pictures
that he receives or from Auto
Traders. “I was asked to do a
wrecker for a man in Nipissing,
once. 1 had never seen it and there
weren’t any pictures of it, but I was
fortunate the next day I found a
picture of an identical one in the
Toronto Star, so it worked out
well. ’ ’
He explains that he uses pine for
his models as it is easy to work with
THRU THE
Close inspection
Murray Long takes a ground-level look at the train he crafted out of pine, as a gift for Wayne Lowe
from his wife. Murray keeps busy during the winter months building model replicas of cars, trucks
and even farm machinery for many people who are looking for a special gift idea or just want an
original keepsake. Murray uses pictures to help him make the model as authentic as possible.
is quite readily available.and
Murray starts with solid blocks of
wood; thinner pieces for doors;
then cuts them to the shape he
needs.
A company in Guelph supplies
the wheels he uses except for the
spoked wheels on cars. Theirs
looks like wagon wheels,” he
Londesboro
Compiled by Mrs. June Fothergill. Phone 523-4360
stated, “so I make my own’’.
The cost runs at about $100
depending on how complicated the
piece is. While the trucks are
larger, they actually are less intri
cate to build, Murray says, as
everything is square. Cars he
explains have fenders, bumpers
and seats added so there is more
detail involved.
For Murray, the interesting hob
by, is a time-consuming pastime he
enjoys. “It gives me something to
do; keeps me out of mischief
when I’m not busy. The fact that
people want them and enjoy them
too - well, that just kind of
happened.”
WE HEARD IT
GRAPEVINE...
Great Savings on These
Used Cars & Trucks. Some
One Owner Low Mileage.
1988Tauras4doorV-6with
1988 Chev Celebrity 4 door
6 cyl. with air
1988 Mercury Grand
Marquis4door loaded with
options
1987 Dodge 1/2ton pick-up
1986 Chev 1/2 ton pick-up
1985 Buick Century Wagon
4 door and many extras
1985 GMC 3/4 ton pick-up
1984 Buick Park Avenue
4 door with air
HAMM’S
Blyth
Phone - 523-4342
Speaker tells of trip to China
The Bluewater Club of the
Canadian Council for the Blind
gathered on Tuesday evening, July
17 at the Huron Day Centre for the
Homebound for a pot luck dinner
with 28 in attendance.
A tribute was paid to departed
member Josie Cunningham by
observing a minute’s silence.
The evening progressed with
guest speaker Mrs. Joyce Doig who
is Dept. Head of Emergency and
Out-Patients at Clinton Public
Hospital. She delivered a most
interesting commentary and show
ed pictures of her trip to China
which she had been invited to
attend. She was one of three who
went from Ontario and Quebec.
She visited many different hospi
tals. The nature of the trip was on
Infection Control in Hospitals. She
enjoyed her trip very much and
acknowledged it was a great learn
ing experience. She was thanked
by Rachel Johnston who presented
her with a token of esteem from the
club.
A short business meeting follow
ed. Roll call was answered and
minutes of the previous meetings
were read. The club was advised
that members will go to Grand
Bend on the afternoon of August 21
to see the production “Annie Get
Your Gun”, followed by dinner at
the Bay view Inn.
The meeting then adjourned with
Dan O’Rourke making the motion.
Seconded by Marjorie Lingelback.
ONTARIO INTEREST ASSISTANCE
COMPONENT
This program provides grants of up to $3,000 on
interest costs paid in 1989. If your farm business
generated at least $15,000 in gross farm sales in
1989, you may be eligible. Grants are calculated
on the basis of 25 per cent of 1989 interest costs
above $5,000. For example, if you paid $16,000
in interest costs, your rebate would be calculated
as ($16,000 - $5,000) x 25% = $2,750.
Poetry opens Cheerio Club meeting
The July meeting of Cheerio
Club was held on Wednesday
afternoon, July 18 at the home of
June Fothergill.
June welcomed everyone and
read a poem “Put on a Happy
Face”. Margaret Good read a
poem about Vicki Keith swimming
Lake Huron. A reading “Rule of
Three” was given by June Fother
gill.
Roll call was answered by 11
members. Minutes of the June
Seaforth Hosp, gets thumbs up
Hullett township’s representa
tive to the Seaforth Hospital Board,
Eric Anderson attended Council’s
July 17 meeting to provide an
up-date on the hospital’s annual
report. Mr. Anderson also advised
People
Twenty- four Londesboro
Women’s Institute members at
tended the play “Albertine in Five
Times” at Blyth Festival on Tues
day evening, July 17. This was in
place of the regular July meeting.
June Fothergill received word
that her nephew Steven Simpson
and his wife, Denise of Owen
Sound are the proud parents of a
baby girl, born on July 15.
Council that the Hospital has
recently received a three year
accreditation.
Council instructed the clerk to
write a letter to R. J. Burnside and
Associates expressing concerns
over the wall construction in Au
burn. The township advised that
they will be monitoring the project
closely for two years. The wall,
which is a free-standing structure
has raised questions from some
residents, who are uncertain that it
will stay in place.
Permission was granted to the
Auburn Lions Club for a slo-pitch
tournament to be held on Sep
tember 5, 7, 8 and 9 with 4 cash bar
and beer garden.
meeting were read and approved.
Collection and draw money was
taken up. A draw donated by Clara
Riley was won by Mary Longman.
Margaret Good had a contest which
was won by Edythe Beacom.
Group 4 will have the August
meeting. Cards were played. Lunch
was served by June and Margaret
Good.
Church news
Greeters at Londesboro United
Church on Sunday, July 22 were
Dick and Gladys Ottens. Ushers
were Tim Airdrie, Mel Bergsma,
Richard Bergsma, and Kenneth
Penfound.
The sermon topic was “Calling It
Quits: Suicide and the Terminally
Ill”. Next Sunday’s sermon is
enttiled “Too young to Die” and is
about teenage suicide.
Vacation Bible School is at
Londesboro Cnurch Monday 'to
Friday. July 23 to 27, 9 a.m. to
11:30 a.m. All children are wel
come.
CANADA GRAINS AND OILSEEDS COMPONENT
If your farm business produced and harvested
one or more eligible crops during the 1989 crop
year, you may qualify for a payment equal to
S5.80 per acre on the following crops: grain corn,
fodder corn, soybeans, winter wheat, spring wheat,
seed corn, white beans, coloured beans, mixed
grains, canola, oats, barley, buckwheat, rye, flax
seed, faba beans, dry peas, sunflower seed, triticale,
lentils, canary seed and safflower. Payment is
based on 1989 acreage.
APPLICATIONS AND BROCHURES ARE IN THE
MAIL TO FARMERS NOW.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS
OCTOBER 31, 1990.
For more information, call the ONTARIO MINISTRY
OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD at (416) 326-9895
or contact your local Ontario Agricultural
Representative.
Ontario
Ministry of
Agricuiture
and Food