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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHomecoming '87, 1987-07-01, Page 35THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987. PAGE A-35. _ _Homecoming ’87 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1903 Fair visitors saw chicken plucking demonstration Continued from page A-34 fencing materials and gates by the Page Wire Co. of Walkerville. The Fall Fair concert was a huge success. Entertainers were Miss Ethyle Powell, soprano, of Toronto and formerly of Brussels; Miss Alberta McNaught, elocutionist; and Jas. Fox, a humorous singer, also from Toronto. In 1903 the spectators at the Fair were shown how to kill and pluck an chicken by three young men from Grey Township, who entered the contest. They got the chickens as well as the prize money. There was also a competition for school children naming apples. There were five contestants and 21 varieties of apples for them to name correctly. Winners were Jas. Speir, Jr., 18; Thos. Armstrong, 14; Glen Armstrong, 14; Jas. Armstrong, 13; Arthur Smith, 9. In 1905 for the first time, Government appointed judges were present at the Fair. They judged the horses, cattle, swine and sheep. There were more contests for children. One was naming varities of apples, another was for boysjudging cattle. Fifteen boys were given cards on which they placed their judgement of the different points. The expert judges decided the winners were: Harold Hogg, Thomas McDonald, C. Wright. There was a competition in a Fancy Drill by School Children. There were to be at least sixteen children in each drill. The prize went to Ethel Public School with 25 taking part. In formation from the Post of 1885 mentioned the East Huron Agricultural Society sponsoring the Spring Show. Mention was made of previous shows, but no reference as to what year the first Spring Show was held. For only a few years following 1885 was there any record of a Spring Fair in Brussels, though they were held in other centres many years later. At a meting of Directors in 1906, they decided not to have a Spring Show. There was no account of any being held any year later. Atameetingin May, 1906the Directors decided to proceed with the building of a new hall. Secretary Kerr was instructed to make arrangements with architect Binning of Listowel regarding plans, and to advertise for tenders. In the Oct. 11th, 1906 edition of the Brussels Post, there appeared a picture of the new Agricultural Hall, and also the picture of James Ferguson, the president. The write-up concluded by saying a good job was done in good time, and the solidity and construction stand for permanence. The total cost was over $3,145.00. A system of wiring was installed by Thuell Bros. Hon. Wm. Patterson, Minister of Customs, Ottawa, formerly opened the Fair and the new Hall, on Oct. 5, 1906. At the annual meeting of Grey Branch, the usual routine business was transacted. The Treasurer’s report showed that $3,263 had been expended in 1906 on the fine new modern hall. The Society would have been in fine shape financially, ifithadbeenfor the unforunate lawsuit brought on by a lady who had been injured in the old hall. The Society had to pay $1,329, including costs, and this necessitated borrowing $750. On resolution, it was agreed to hand over the lands, buildings, etc. of Grey Branch Society to the new Society to be formed, on condition that they assume liabilities and grant use to Brussels Driving Park Assoc. Thus passed away a Branch Society with a record not easily equalled for good fairs and united and agreeable effort. On January 16,1907 the annual meeting of East Riding was held. There was a balance of $80 in the treasury. James Ferguson, who had been the president since 1891, declined re-election on account of his advanced year. He died in 1908. Jas. Speir was elected president, and W. H. Kerr carried on as secretary-treasurer. The new society organized then was designated as East Huron Agricultural Society, and decided on resolution to place its headquar­ ters at Brussels. In 1907 the fair was a decided success. The Society would have a tidy surplus after paying expenses, but still did not have enough to pay the debtcaused by the lawsuit a year previous. Fall Fair Day in 1911 was a real soaker all day. Gate receipts were $35, so money had to be borrowed to pay prize money. However, the Wet Weather Insurance amounted 1911 fair took a soaking to $247 and was a little consolation, as the Society had to borrow $406. The first mention of automobiles at the fair was in 1914, but in 1916 The Post remarked there were hundreds in town that day. A big attraction at the fair in 1916 was the Baby Show. There were 20 babies entered. Nurses McArthur and Flaws judged the babies. Prizes were awarded to the mothers and were as follows: 1st, Mrs. Bynes, Henfryn; 2nd, Mrs. Benson Wheeler, Grey; 3rd, Mrs. Richard Cardiff, Brussels; 4th, Mrs. MarkGarniss, Morris; 5th Mrs. Frank Sleightholm, Ethel. Automobiles were becoming more popular all the time, and so a prize was given for the best decorated car. This was won by John Stewart in 1917. The follow­ ing year Earl Cunningham donated a prize for a slow half-mile test of Ford cars in high gear. There were four entires, but we were unable to learn the name of the winner, if there was one. Anyone changing gears would be disqualified. In writing about the East Huron Agricultural Society, no mention was made of quite a number of fairs. Of those fairs, there was nothing new or spectacular to note. The programs for the years follow the same pattern usually. In recent years, the concert has been discontinued and a dance is usually held in the Palace. These dances became popular in the Palace after the new hardwood floor was laid in 1949. The first dance was held May 17,1950 with Ferrier’s Orchestra supplying the music. In 1961, in honor of the Society’s one hundredth birthday, a new Centennial stone gateway was erected at the Turnberry Street entrance. The official opening was held on September 10, 1961 with well over500people in attendance. Mrs. Ida Davis and Miss Beth Hoover, dressed in Centennial costumes unveiled plaques on the two stone pylons dedicated to the Society and the pioneers. The ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by George Ed­ wards of Engelhart, President of Ontario Association of Agricultur­ al Fairs, assisted by F. A. Lashley, Superintendent of Fairs for Ontario, and Clem Steffler, presi­ dent of East Huron Agricultural Society. Rev. H. L. Jennings of St. John’s Anglican Church, dedicat­ ed the new gates. Others assisting were Rev. A. K. Griffiths of the United Church, Rev. W. J. Morri­ son of the Presbyterian Church and Captain Newman of the Wingham Salvation Army, who received the offering. Other speakers included Roy Cousins, as master of ceremonies, a past president of the Agricultural Society; John Hanna, M.P.P.; Douglas Miles, Agricultural Re­ presentative for Huron; Robert Campbell, District Director for Huron-Perth; and James Mair, past-president. Other guests who hold various provincial offices included: Mrs. Teffer, Mrs. James Grummett, Mrs. George Ironsides, Miss Stella Kirkby, Donald McTavish, Mrs. A. Koehler, Wm. McDougall and Mr. Charlton. George McCutcheon, Reeve of Brussels, introduced the past presidents and secretaries. Regret was expressed that D. M. MacTa- vish, a former secretary for 15 years, was unable to be present on account of illness. Following the National Anthem, the Legion Pipe Band led the parade of color parties through the gateway. These included the Sal­ vation Army Band, massed Choir, members of the local Legion and Ladies Auxiliary, Boy Scouts and Cubs, Girl Guides and Brownies. Everyone was invited to the Palace for a cup of tea and a piece of the Centennial Cake, served by the Centennial highlights Memories of 1972 Scanning several 15-year-old Brussels Posts brought in by Marg McCutcheon brought back warm memories of the village’s Centenn­ ial celebrations in 1972, memories which will likely be shared by many of those who have returned for this Homecoming and 115th birthday of the village. Visitors began arriving on Thursday, June 29, and every home seemed to have the welcome mat out for returning family and friends, while the town was festive with flags, streamers, and decor­ ated store windows. Throughout the weekend, cars were every­ where, and the streets were crowded all day and late into the night with happy people in large and small groups, renewing old acquaintances and expressing their pleasure in the entire Centen­ nial program. The Brussels Post of July 5, 1972, the week following the celebration, ran three full pages of the names and addresses of those who had come “home’’ over the weekend and signed the official visitors book, and it was estimated that more than 8,000 people were in town on Saturday, July 1 for the biggest and best parade ever held in the area. The parade was led by John Ainley, great-grandson of William Ainley, founder of Brussels, ac­ companied by his wife, Margaret; other cars carried Brussels reeve Jack McCutcheon, Morris reeve Bill Elston, Grey reeve Charlie Thomas, Huron County Warden Elmer Hayter, MP Bob McKinley, MPP Murray Gaunt, and Centen­ nial Queen Julie Vallance. There were more than 125 floats of every description in the parade, along with The Brussels Legion Ladies Division with Mrs. Earl Cudmore as president. The Centennial Cake, a replica of the Crystal Palace and small portion of grounds, including the new gateway, was designed and decoratedby Mrs. Ella Shurrie. There were many favourable com­ ments on this artistic creation. The ladies division of the Agricultural Society was formed sometime in the 1950’s. The members have been active ever since, contributing much to the success of the Brussels Fair each year. A lot of things have changed since the early days, but the Fair’s directors have tried to keep pace with the demands of modern society. Two years ago the Fair was moved from Victoria Park to the new Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. Many people were sad to see the old Crystal Palace abandoned, but the direc­ tors of the agricultural society decided it would be best for all concerned to take advantage of the bright new facility, and the move was made. Over the years, with the increase in the value of prize livestock and the decline in prize money offered at local fairs, the livestock competi­ tions have declined dramatically, so that now it is mostly the 4-H exhibits which fill the livestock sheds. However, the number and quality of both the 4-H members and of their livestock seems to Pipe Band, several other bands, fire trucks horse-drawn vehicles of numerouskinds, alarge contin­ gent of riders from the Maitland Valley Saddle Club, asteam engine and a steam thresher, the Thomson Museum steam calliope from Stratford, clowns and children on bicycles. The official opening of the Brussels Centennial at Victoria Park followed the parade, chaired by Bruce McCall, who introduced the dignitaries and members of the Centennial Committee, including Chairman Hugh Pearson, first vice-chairman Jack Bryans, se­ cond vice-chairman Max Watts, Treasurer George Mutter and secretary Mary Lowe. Mr. Ainley was introduced by Jack Bryans and then presented with a copy of the 1879 Huron County Atlas by twins Darrell and David Hastings, while Colleen Bridge presented Mrs. Ainlay with a bouquet of roses. Festivities had begun on Thurs­ day evening, when a cairn was unveiled at the Brussels Public School, containing the corner stone and bell from the village’ first public school, erected in 1895, as well as a plaque honouring Ken Ashton, a former principal of the school and long-time member of the teaching staff. Principal Ken Scott acted as master of ceremon­ ies, while Reeve Jack McCut­ cheon, School Trustee Donald McDonald, former teacher Hazel Matheson and teacher Luella Mitchell all made brief speeches before teachers Mrs. Ken Tyer- man and Miss Mitchell performed the unveiling. Following the ceremony, there was a well-attended concert in the school gym, featuring local talent. Many former pupils saw the new improve each year, and the youngsters put on as good a show as can be found anywhere. On the brighter side, the arts and crafts displays have definitely improved over the years, as more leisure time and plethora of new materials add more entries to this division every year. Also improved is the display of work by school children, which forms a large part of a modern fair. In 1986, the Brussels Fall Fair celebrated its 125th anniversary with a superb Fall Fair Parade, although no new events or classes were added to the fair itself, because a recent panic situation in the possibility of a huge rise in insurance rates had made planning impossible until too late to institute changes. At one point, there was even a danger of the fair being cancelled altogether because of the insurance problems which affected the entire country in the summer of 1986. Last January, John McIntosh of RR 5, Brussels, was elected president of the Brussels Agricul­ tural Society for 1987-88, with Keith Williamson of RR 3, Walton, as past president; Jim Hunter of RR 1, Belgrave, as 1st vice-presi­ dent; Allan Cardiff of RR 5, Brussels, as 2nd vice-president; and Rose Marie Bishopof RR 1, Ethel, as secretary. In the Ladies’ Division, Betty Cardiff of RR 1, Ethel, was elected president; Joan Bernard of Brus­ sels was elected 1 st vice-president; and Edith Pipe, also of Brussels, remained as secetary-treasurer. school for the first time, and renewed old friendships. Bob Cunningham M.C.’d the program which included Highland dancing by Susan Langlois and Carol Wheeler, solos by Linda Wilson, Betty Campbell and Cathy McGa- vin, step-dancing, barbershop quartettes, accordion players and the beard contest, which ended the evening. Among the celebrations were Bill King, Cal Krauter, Wayne Lowe, Graham Wark, Hank Ten Pas, Jim McNeil, Allan Nichol, Bob Richmond, Harold Bridge and Jack McCutcheon. After much deliberation, judges Cecil McFad­ den and Ira McLean judged Mr. Lowe “King of the Beards,’’ with Mr. King and Mr. Krauter as runners-up. The highlight of Friday, June 30, was the unveiling of the Centennial plaque at the Brussels Public Library; this event is remembered in detail elsewhere in this issue. All Brussels churches were fillwed to overflowing for Sunday morning services, while the com­ munity service held at Victoria Park Sunday evening drew a large congregation. A tremendous crowd gathered at the Park Sunday evening for the closing events of the weekend, climaxed by a spectacular display of fireworks. A Shirttail Parade at midnight Sunday saw a good number of party-goers winding their way down the village’s main street, while at least 1,000 spectators crowded around, with most of them staying for the street dance which went on well into the wee hours of Monday morning, ending only when rain dampened some of the high spirits, and put an end to the best party Brussels had ever had.