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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHomecoming '87, 1987-07-01, Page 30PAGE A-30. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987. _Homecoming '87_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Brussels Legion had first meeting in 1931 Honour Rolls, scrolls listing the names of those who gave their lives for their country in both World Wars, were presented by the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 218, Brussels, to all the churches in the village in 1961. Unveiling the scrolls at St. John’s Anglican Church are [from left] Church warden Charles Storey, Reverand H.L. Jennings, Legion president Stewart Humphries, and Legion members Ray Bronson and Tom Bernard. The Royal Canadian Legion has been part of Brussels history for more than 55 years. The Brussels Branch came into being on Nov. 2, 1931. Previous to that several World War I veterans from the community had belonged to the Mount Forest Legion branch No. 134, travelling the 40 miles monthly to meetings. Horticultural Society has beautified village since 1954 The Brussels Horticultural Soci­ ety was first organized in 1954, under the guidance of Cliff Epps of Clinton, then District Director of District 8, of which Brussels is a member. Mrs. E. Cudmore was elected president of the Club at its first meeting, with Mrs. William Bell as first vice-president, Mrs. John Gibson as second vice-president and Mrs. J.C Adams as secretary- treasurer. The first directors of the new club included Mrs. A. Mann, Mrs. William Evans, Miss Addie Cardiff, Miss C. Dickson, Mrs. K. Shurrie, Mrs. William Turnbull, Mrs. J. Wheeler, Mrs. L. Work­ man, Mrs. KenTyerman, and Mrs. C. Long. Twenty-nine members attended the first meeting, but by year-end, membership had swell­ ed to 76 . The Ontario Horticultural Soci­ ety is divided into 16 districts, with each district holdings its own annual convention; the provincial convention is held once a year at a different place in Ontario. The Brussels Society is one of 16 societies in District 8. Each District is headed by a district director and one or two assistants. The Brussels Horticultural Soci­ ety hosted the District Conventions in 1956,1968, and 1983, when the meeting was held in Melville Presbyterian Church in Brussels. As a project for Canada’s Centennial in 1967, the Brussels BRUSSELS On your 115th Birthday Evans Hardware Ethel 887-6979 Send for brochure and full details or phone for an appointment to view Richard Spear R.R.3, Wingham, Ont. NOG 2W0 1 milewestofWinghamonHwy.86 (519) 357-2037 When the Brussels branch received its charter for what was then the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, the members were: Fred W. Burchell, William H. Bell, S.B. Elliott, Edward Garton, George Harmon, Joseph E. Kelly, C.F. Lockwood, George Manning, Harold Phillips, Robert Patrick, Stanley Rutledge, TURNBERRY ■ ESTATES ALL YARNS Choose and plan your ideal home from a wide selection offered by GENERAL MANU­ FACTURED HOUSING or we will build on site to your specs. Society developed a piece of waste ground at the western entrance to the village as a pretty picnic and rest stop for motorists, complete with a view of the river, picnic tables, trees and flower beds. Today, members still look after the park faithfully, presenting a most pleasing approach to the town. Other projects taken on each year by the Society include the planting and care of flower beds on village boulevards and in planters on the main street, at the village churches, the Legion, the post office, the library, the municipal office, and at the fair grounds and Maitland Valley Conservation Authority property at the Brussels dam. The local Society also sponsors twoflower shows each year, the Rose Show and Bake Sale in June, and the Flower Show and dinner in August. Entries at the August show number from 150-200, and plaques are awarded to the winners in each division. The Augustshowisthe club’s major fund-raising project, and attracts a large crowd to both the flower show and dinner. Meetings are held every second Monday of every second month, with the next meeting scheduled for September 14 at 8 p.m. Officers on the 1987 Board of Directors include Alice McArter, past-president; Jane White, presi­ dent; Jeanne Ireland, first vice- president; Sandra Machan, second Percy Sellers, William Stiles, C.H. Stubbert, Roy Thuell, Wilfred Willis, and J. Pedgriff. In the early years the members met in private homes, private buildings such as above the express office, in the American Hotel and in the old town hall. In 1946 the Legion purchased a building on the main street from Norman Thompson, where all vice-president; Isobel Gibson, secretary; Wilma Hemingway, assistant-secretary; and Jean Bewley, treasurer. Directors in­ clude Eluned McNair, Luella Mitchell, Mabel Glanville, Muriel Whitfield, Jane DeVries, Doris McCall, Evelyn Mair, Florence McArter and Iona Moore. RETIRING? MODEL HOMES NOW ON DISPLAY IN THIS SELECT ADULT COMMUNITY. if you are seeking an ideal retirement or summer home, be sure to visit our small, private, professionally planned modular home park on the Maitland River within 2 miles of shopping, golf and hospital. Compare our new home prices and site rents with other well known retirement parks. No additional maintenance or other charges. - Heated Pool - Communal Clubhouse - Pure Untreated Water - All Services Underground - Paved Streets and Driveways - New Homes from $37,000 to $69,000 - Flexible Leases Legion functions were held until the new Legion hall was built in 1965. The new Legion Hall was opened June 12, 1965. The cost of the building and interior fixtures was about $60,000. Since no grants of any kind were available for this kind of building the entire amount had to be raised by the Legion members and Ladies Auxiliary members through dances, on the annual sports day, bingo, card parties and other events. The mortgage was paid off in 1974. The Legion remains active in the community. It has sponsored minor hockey teams, public speak­ ing, essay and poem contests and Grade 8 graduation trophies. Use of the hall to other groups such as the Cadets and the Pipe Band is also provided free. The Legion sponsored the Pipe Band which celebrated its 35th anniversary in May. The band, formedin 1952, has been a popular attraction in parades across the area and performed in Brussels Sister City, Standish, Michigan as well as taking part in mass bands in other parts of the U.S. The Legion used to sponsor half the cost of taking children for swimming lessons before the July 2 - 11th Barbara M. Brown BRUSSELS - 887-6927 BMG pool was built last year and has also helped provide candy for the Santa Claus parade. Past Presidents of the Brussels Legion include: Fred W. Burchell, 1931-1932; William Stiles, 1933- 34-35-36-37; Russel Knight, 1938- 1939; Joseph Kelly, 1940; Charles Stubbert, 1941; George Harmon, 1942; George Inglis, 1943; Frank Shaw, 1944; Morris Wineberg, 1945; HaroldThomas, 1946; Oliver Doll, 1947; C.L. Workman, 1948- 50-51; George Baeker, 1949; Or­ well Elliott, 1952; Ken Coleman, Gordon Workman, 1953; Russel Hall, 1954; Gordon Krauter, 1955; Pete Sellers, 1956; Ross Bennett, 1957-58; Ross Duncan, 1959; Stewart Humphries, 1960-61; Herb Travis, 1962-63; Tom Mac­ Farlane, 1964-65; C.E. (Ted) Elliott, 1966-67-68-69-70; Wm. Adamson, 1971; Clifford Cardiff, 1972-73; Jack Brewer, 1974-76; Tom Garniss, 1977-79; Glen Bridge, 1980; Ted Elliott, 1981; Don Blenkhorn, 1983-84; Les Brewer, 1985; Bob Fraser, 1986. In 1987 the Branch installed its first female president (and the first female associate member of Dis­ trict C. covering Guelph to Tober­ mory), Kathy Burkholder, daugh­ ter of former president Ted Elliott.