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The Citizen, 1987-11-11, Page 5THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1987. PAGE 5. Belgrave Kinsmen mark 10 years of service BY TOBY RAINEY “Throughouttheyear, I have the opportunity to visit many service clubs all across the pro­ vince, and I can tell you that for its size, the Belgrave and District Kinsmen Club is as good as any in Ontario.” The words that Huron MPP and Ontario Minister of Agriculture Jack Riddell used in an address to the Belgrave area club, at its 10th anniversary celebration in Brus­ sels Saturday night, were echoed time and again by speaker after speaker at the festival occasion, proof that the little club with the big heart is indeed something special. Founded on November 25,1977, in the spirit of fellowship and community service, the Belgrave and Area Kinsmen have had an enormous impact on their com­ munity. The most visible of their accomplishments is, of course, the establishment of the Kinsmen Community Park in the hamlet, a sports facility which has become one of the major playing fields in north Huron. Often ball tourna­ ments which have no actual connection with Belgrave teams are held at the lighted field because of its excellence, while the facility is in steady use throughout much of the year by local interests. Like all Kinsmen clubs around the world, the Belgrave group exists to serve the community’s greatest needs, and almost from its inception its members identified a major need for an improved sports complex in the village. Belgrave did have a small ball park and arena in 1980 when the idea of an improved facility began to shape, but as Blake Evans, president of the Kinsmen Club at the time said, the parking facilities there were hazardous, forcing to park along Highway 4. He added that improvements to the arena were long overdue, citing wash­ room and dressing room facilities and an added entrance to the building as examples. With eager input from the community, the club decided that in addition to the above improve­ ments, the facility should have a creative playground area, horse­ shoe pits, a new ball diamond, and a much larger parking area. Later, itwasdecidedtobuilda modern pavillion and to add lights to the park to extend its hours of use. Under co-chairman Allan Bridge and Ken Hopper, the group’s building committee approached both East Wawanosh and Morris Townships to discuss its plans, and to ask for help with the initial funding. Inordertoqualifyfora Ministry of Culture and Recreation grant the property had to be owned by a municipality, and East Wawanosh, where the park is located, agreed to purchase the 2.8 acres of land from Lome Hum­ phrey for $25,000, on the condition that the Kinsmen would undertake to repay the debt as quickly as possible. Although only a few years old, the Belgrave Kinsmen were alrea­ dy experienced at fund-raising, having taken part in projects such as providing 24-hour security at the International Plowing Match held near Wingham in 1978, when membersdonated2160 hours to raise $6,500; or catching 100,000 chickens to raise a few thousand more. The club stepped up its activi­ ties, sponsoring such things as the hugely successful annual Kin lottery, the annual pork roast, ball tournaments, turkey bingos and dances, and in May of 1980, presented a cheque for $9,000 to East Wawanosh council to retire the mortgage on the new property. The sports complex was opened amid much fanfare a little less than three years later, and has been in steady use ever since. The Belgrave and District Kins­ men didn’t overlook their basic responsibilities under their club charter either, despite the concen­ trated fund-raising for the sports complex. Each year since the beginning they have donated generously to the national Cystic Fibrosis fund, a major perogative of the club nationally, as well as making donations to disaster areas in Ontario and around the world, and organizing fund drives to help community members devastated by fires and other disasters. As well, the club has sponsored local youth groups and organiza­ tions, donated equipment to the Belgrave Pee Wee hockey team, donated trophies to the East Wawanosh Central School Science Fair, sponsored bike rodeos, fami­ ly picnics, camp-outs and corn roasts, helped out at all community events such as the annual Belgrave Fowl supper each September, and assisted generously with the re­ roofing of their community’s arena when it became necessary a year ago. ‘‘This club is an example of the important role that service clubs play in our communities, across the nation, and around the world,” Mr. Riddell said Saturday. ‘‘The Belgrave and District Kinsmen Club is a shining example of the spirit which makes our communi­ ties better places to work and play.” ‘‘The Belgrave Club is basically a club of farmers; it is a club very near and dear to me, and in whatever they do, you can feel the strength and integrity of farmers; you know that they will do whatever they say they will do, and do it well.” summed up Larry Cadotte of Paincourt, Governor of the Kinsmen Clubs of District One a nd a guest of honour at the 10th Anniversary celebration. ‘ This club will still be here lOOyearsfrom now.” Guests of honour at the club’s 10th anniversary celebration, Zone B Deputy Governor Murray J. Calder, left, and District 1 Governor Larry Cadotte presented Belgrave and District Kinsmen Club president Brian Potter with the 1987-88 Executive Banner on Saturday. Letters Rural councils are doing their job Blyth residents' input wanted The Editor, Your “opinion” article in last week’s issue of The Citizen outlining the action of the com­ munity at large in supporting residents of our area in times of need indeed demonstrates the community spirit of small town life. However, your article goes on to say that, with respect to the situation regarding the Ethel Post Office, the type of support shown for the Post Office has become all toorare. Yourarticlestatesthat “rural councils have taken to worrying only about good roads and bridges and not looking at the future of their communities.” Perhaps one should consider the reasons why rural councils are so interested in roads and bridges. In atypical rural municipality, the road budget can account for 70 per cent or more of its annual budget. Of the grants that a rural munici­ pality receives from the Province, the largest percentage by far are the grants that must be used for road and bridge expenditures. In summary, before one dis­ counts rural councils for their concerns about their road and bridge systems, one should con­ sider the importance of maintain­ ing and improving their transpor­ tation systems. One can only imagine what the quality of life, and what the future of the community would be if transporta­ tion systems were allowed to deteriorate into a state of decay and disrepair. Also, your comment does not do any justice to rural councils who try to provide other services such as fire protection, recreation, etc. Brad Knight AMCT [A] Clerk-Treasurer Township of Grey The Editor, In an attempt to expand on your article on page 24 of the Oct. 28 edition, concerningthesurveys currently being circulated to the business community in and around Blyth, the writer wants to convey to readers of The Citizen, that any and all persons are welcome to bring to the attention of the Blyth Business and Tourism Committee, the ideas and concerns that may well be overlooked by the commit­ tee unless there is a response from the public at large. The committee members have met in forum a total of three times as of Oct. 31. Much has been accomplished in such a short time frame, with the initial guidance of staff of the Huron County Planning and Development department. However, it is the absolute opinion of the Blyth Business and Tourism Committee members, that the residents of Blyth and area have a vested interest in the future of their own community. It is the intention of this committee to seek every source of inputthatyou, the resident of Blyth and area, may have in your private thoughts. Do not be afraid to submit your ideas and, yes, your criticisms too. As a tree grows, it must be pruned, to attain a pleasant umbrella of foilage, otherwise it may become lop-sided and ungain­ ly and no credit to its species. Thus the Committee invites you the public with your input of ideas and criticisms, to help prune the tree. Perhaps the following verses will provoke some thoughts and ideas from the readers. By direction of committee, just to get the word about And to try to get some input, so no one is in doubt That you have a vested interest, in the future days of Blyth Itisyourplaceofresidencc, can you help Blyth to survive. Because we pay our taxes, or in cases just some rent, Doesn’t give us any license, of our jealousy’s to vent. You may live beside a neighbour, who is owner of a store And because he works his buns off, he may have a little more. The merchant risks his money, and he borrows to the hilt If he cannot sell his merchandise, his investment’s sure to wilt. Notallofusare willing, to become a business man. That is why we should be boosters, of those who feel they can. The employer pays fair wages, to employees and the staff Paysbenefitsandholidays, and somehow still can laugh Fornoonepayshisbenefits, his holidays are few If heextendsbad credit, he may wait ’til he turns blue. I’m sure that there are some of us, when paying for our goods Think the merchant is a million- Continued on page 22