Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-06-24, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1987. New owners set to re-open hotel October 1 Partners June Warwick and Gerry White have purchased the old Brussels Inn on Turnberry street in the village, and plan to have it completely renovated and re-opened by October 1. The hotel has been closed down for nearly a year, and a new establishment will be a welcome addition to the town. People Compiled by Marilyn Higgins Congratulations to Valerie John­ ston and Mike Watson who were married on Saturday, June 20. Visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Alvie Higgins on Saturday were Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ward and Julie of St. Mary’s, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hig­ gins, Dennis and Ronald of Blyth and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Higgins. A family get-together was held at the home of Jim and Donna Knighton Wednesday evening, June 17. Guest visitors were Allan Alexander of High River, Alberta, Allan is Donna’s nephew, and a friend Kent Kinghorn Ucon, Ida- do. They are missionaries with the Church of Later Day Saints and are posted in Walkerton at the present time. They showed a video of their work and explained their duties as young missionaries. Deepest sympathy is extended to the Pearson and Willis families on the recent passing of Donelda. Sympathy is also extended to the Smith family in the loss of their mother. Visiting on Sunday with Mrs. Lila Goll were Mr. and Mrs. Andy Gray of Milverton and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Higgins. With all the bad news these days about the post office, Barbara Brown thought it might be nice to report one positive thing. A letter mailed to her from Mulheim, West Germany on J une 15 reached her in Brussels on June 19. Mrs. Murray Fitzpatrick of Montreal was the guest of Sheila Richards this past weekend. She was in town to attend the opening performance of the Blyth Festival. On June 19, Mrs. Glenne Stephens had two most interesting guests from Toronto. They were Mrs. Helena (Prine) Bedofrd and Mrs. Betty (Prine) Stephens, granddaughters of Richard Leath­ erdale, funeral director and cabi­ net maker in Brussels from 1904 until 1921 when he left for Winnipeg. Helena had brought many pic­ tures of her grandmother’s house during its age of elegance where she had played with many Brussels children during holidays spent here. These reminiscences were shared and added to by Hazel Mathesonand Norman Hoover. Visits also to the cemetery where the grandparents lie buried, United Church where the family worshipped, where his gift of the beautiful pupils is used since the fire of 1924. Helena was happy to visit again the house of her childhood and see the English daisies still blooming in the yard. Mr. Leatherdale had sent to England for the roots. Roy Prine moved his family from home here (Elsie Evans former home) to Toronto after the Pine grist mill burned in 1915. The Brussels Inn, closed now for nearly a year, is slated to re-open on October 1, under new and aggressive management that seems to have put its finger on the pulse of just about anything the village and surrounding areas could ask for in a fine establish­ ment. The new owner-partners, June Warwick and Gerry White, say that their primary concern is in opening the facilities on the lower floor of the historic hotel by fall, but that renovating and re-opening the second story will follow as quickly as possible. “At this point, though, we are looking at putting in several apartments, rather than overnight rooms,’’ Mr. Whitesaid. “That seems to be where the greatest need lies at this time, anyway.” The partners will re-open the hotel’s two dining rooms, with plans to offer “very, very good casual dining” in both, as well as offering a good selection of take-out food, including pizza. “We have our menus pretty well worked up, with one or two new ideas in food service - but we’re not ready to divulge it just yet,” Mr. White joked. The partners have already hired an experienced food and beverage manager, but say they expect the hotel will create a half-dozen other permanent jobs, as well as several part-time positions. They hope to hire locally wherever possible. As well as the dining facilities, Mr. White and Ms. Warwick plan to re-open both the large beverage room and a smallerX-jcility at the back of the hotel, and will possibly install a smaller stand-up bar and a dance floor “to give the room a slightly different flavour.” Plans also include live entertain- ment on weekends, and the installation of agiant television screen, a pool table, and possibly several video games for daily entertainment. The partners, both of whom are presently engaged in other car­ eers, have been looking for “just such an establishment” for two or three years, finally deciding on the Brussels hotel early last April, although whentheyfirst saw its interior they were “standing in water up to our ankles’ from leaks in the roof. The roof has since been repair­ ed, and the interior renovations are well underway, although there is a lot of work yet to be done before October 1. Mr. White has been at the hotel nearly every day lately, and with help from Ms. Warwick on weekends, plans to do most of the “tearingout” on their own, using local craftsman and materi­ als wherever possible to take care of the renovations. Ms. Warwick is well known in the Brussels area, having been born and brought up here. Al­ though she has been away for nearly 25 years, she still has relatives and friends in the area, most of whom remember her prowess on the ball diamond, and later, as coach of a Goderich men’s slow-pitchteam. Mr. White has roots in Goderich, although his work has taken him overseas for many years until just recently. Both partners say they will likely move to Brussels in the near future. Homecoming update Continued from page 1 business or endeavour into the Homecoming issue, but anything submitted MUST BE IN OUR HANDS no later than tomorrow night, Thursday, June 25. There is a mail slot in the door of the Brussels office of The Citizen, or you can phone us at 887-9114, 523-4792 or 523-4872 if you have any questions. (Unfortunately, Bell Canada has been unable to sort out a problem on my home phone in more than a week, so if anyone has been frantically trying to get me at the number previously advertised here, my apologies, and, presumably, Bell’s). A spokesman for the Homecom­ ing Committee says that the total prize money for the opening night Bingo, Thursday, July 2, has been upped fror*. $3Cvcx> over $1,000, and a capacity crowd is anticipated as the games get underway at the arena at 8 p.m., so be sure and get there early. Tickets for the beef barbecue on Sunday are also going fast, so reserve yours early. They are on sale at only $7 per adult, $5 per kid, and are available at most down­ town stores. Since this is a catered event, NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD atthe door, so don’t miss out on this mouthwatering feast. Souvenir T-shirts and hats are also selling fast, with some sizes of shirts already sold out at only $8.95 each; and the golf-cap style of hat at only $5 is already sold out. More caps are on order, but once the items in local stores now are gone, there won’t be time to get more, so don’t miss out on these. The ladies of the Majestic Women’s Institute have a major cleaning bee scheduled for tonight (Wednesday) at the Hospitality Centreattheoldmill, andcould likely use a hand at the job, if there are any around. As well, the Homecoming Committee will be holding a giant work bee at 7 p.m. at the arena next Monday night (June 29) setting up tables and chairsfor the bingo and looking after all sorts of last minute details. They need all the help they can get at this point, so if you can, go down and pitch in - it’s OUR party! The latest attractions confirmed for the weekend are the midway, which will be in operation Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and an aerial ladder truck from the Listowel Fire Department which we understand can do some astounding things! One last note: The window at Murray Lowe’s Barber Shop, one of the most outstanding decora­ tions in town at this point, was painted by Tracy Bosman, 16, an accomplished artist from Win­ throp. She’s a busy girl, but it might be worth a call to her at 527-0918 to ask if she can do one for you for our 115th birthday celebra­ tion. Majestic Wl visits Erland Lee Homestead The June meeting of the Majes­ tic Women’s Institute took the form of a bus trip arranged by Mrs. Ruth Galbraith and Mrs. Iona Moore. Several W.I. members and their friends enjoyed a very interesting bus trip to the Erland Lee Homestead in Stoney Creek. The house was the home of the co-founder of the Women’s Insti­ tute in the world, Mr. Erland Lee. It is now owned and maintained by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario. In this home are many lovely antiques and many items are the original furnishings of the home. The walnut dining room table is there on which the original by-laws and constitution were drafted. Mrs, Erland Lee was one of the first directors of the Stoney Creek W.I. and Mrs. E.D. Smith was the first president. Afterlunchatthe Lee, a short business session was held with the president, Mrs. Kathy Bridge presiding. Plans were made for the Hospitality Centre to be held at the Brussels Mill during the 115th Anniversary of Brussels celebra­ tions. Registration is to be held at the Mill and a replica of the proposed new Huron County mus­ eum will be on display. A float for the parade was discussed and plans were made for the picnic to be held on July 8th at the home of Doris McCall. From Stoney Creek the busload proceeded to the Veldheuis Green­ house in Dundas. This greenhouse specializes in cacti but had a huge display of all kinds of plants.. A dinner at the Cedar Barn ended a very enjoyable day. Specially Priced For Summer!! Entertainment Furniture Great Selection Quality Brands Affordable Prices WE HAVE: T.V. stands, swivel wall shelves, VCR carts, slip in carts, video storage, home entertainment centres, micro­ wave stands, etc. etc. SEE STORE FOR MORE DETAILS Oldfield Pro Hardware & Radio Shack Radio Brussels 887-6851 Zhaek