The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1988-09-21, Page 22Page 22—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, September 21, 1988 Dispelling the myth that towns are dying Dispelling the popular myth that small towns and villages m Eastern Canada are dying out, University of Guelph geographer Fred Dahms says many are actually thriving. It's because they have what it takes to appeal to retirees, tourists and others who are hungry for clean air and heritage architecture. "In the ,1970s, those who studied demographtold us that a majority of Canadians would live in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver by the year 2000," says Dahms. "But this has not happened. In fact, the most rapid population growth in some areas has been in the very villages, hamlets and towns that were supposed to die." This is especially true in places close to major employment centres, such as Erin and Belwood, southwest of Toronto in the Credit River Valley, and in villages with heritage architecture, like Blind River, one of the most historic settlements in Nor- thern Ontario. It's also true in towns with local scenic attractions, such as Bayfield, whose river and marina provide access to Lake Huron. Lion's Head in Northern Ontario is an example of a settlement that was dying when its fishing and logging industries declined and has been "reborn" as a retirement village. One-third of its present population is over 65 years of age. Most of. these people who have vacationed in the area, says Dahms. Many other small towns in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes are experienc- Mg the same kind of growth, says Dahms. Towns that were service centres for the surrounding agricultural communities or the fishing and lumber industries are tak- ing on a residential function for retirees. The towns that are thriving offer attrac- tions ranging from scenery to heritage ar- chitecture and low-cost housing. Most retirees bring money into towns, opening the door for entrepreneurs who may suc- cessfully turn an old general store into an antique shop, renovate a mill as a restaurant or establish an expensive ladies' clothing store. Increased business opportunities, the community's casual life-style or the nearness to recreational areas may at - BUSINESS DIRECTORY Promote Your Business And Products And Watch Your Profits Grow ... This Space Reserved For Your Business Card 528-2822 COWAN PRINIING LUCKNOW L 528 2730 GENERAL PRINTING AND OFFICE SUPPLIES R.W. Bell Optometrist GODERICH The Square 524-7661 • HOME INSULATION • SAND BLASTING • AIRLESS SPRAY PAINTING 67 W. ADAMSON & SON CONTRACTING LTD. LUCKNOW, ONT. NOG 2H0 CGASD ONT. 661 TOM ADAMSON TEL. (519) 528-2113 Cal Burke Electric ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS APPLIANCE & REFRIGERATION SERVICE ingai ALL MAKES SALES & WARRANTY SERVICE Call Toll Free 1-800-265-3025 42 Years Built by Quality and Service , Open 6 Days A Week WINGHAM 357-2450 nx� MAITLAND READY -MIX CONCRETE Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Residential QUALITY and SERVICE TEESWATER 392-6881 TIVERTON 368-7696 LI STO W E L 291-4320 Bus. Hrs. 7 a.m. - 5 p m SATDELIVERIES MAITLAND 1 WELDING & MACHINING •Custom Fabrication •Stabling •Machining & Millwrighting •Portable Welding •Cast & Aluminum Welding *Genet al Repairs •Ornamental Railings Business 357-2727 Res. Spike 528-2520 O'HANDLEY Plumbing Heating R.R.#1 Ripley 395.3486 Pegg Construction RESIDENTIAL - AGRICULTURAL •Homes •Cottages •Farm Buildings Aluminum and Vinyl Siding, Replacement Windows And Doors. Barn Steel and Hardware TOM PEGG 528-3720 WILLITS TIRE SERVICE specializing in "on the farm" service handling all major brands 456 Ross St., Lucknow PHONE 528-2103 --�� Chisholm Fuels �� SUNOCO DISTRIBUTORS LUCKNOW Phone 529-7524 or 524-7681 Furnace Installations Wood, Oil Combination Furnaces Burner Service Propane Filling Station PRODUCTS FOR FARM, HOME & INDUSTRY tract younger people with families. New resident's, old or young, bring new ideas for activities like the Blyth Festival, the Shelburne Fiddle Contest and the Fergus Highland Games. Population and economic growth may be beneficial for the town, but there is the danger of eventually killing the heritage, atmosphere that attracted people to the village in the first place. Elora is now on the brink of over -indulgence, says Dahms, and Niagara -on -the -Lake has already succumbed. A professor in the University of Guelph's department of geography, Dahms has researched the process of settlement in Eastern Canada. In 1987, he travelled from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast, visiting towns and villages with less than 5,000 people, studying their histories and interviewing residents. The results of Dahm's research en the past, present and future of rural com- munities has been summarized in a new book, The Heart of the Country. Although written to appeal to the general public, the book is based on 10 years of solid research. "Geographers study places with characteristics that are inherently in- teresting," says Dahms. "The Heart is my attempt to communicate some important findings to anyone who may be interested' in our rich heritage of towns and villages." PURPLE GROVE Visiting this week in Purple Grove with Jim and Fran Farrell were Bruce and Kathy Aitken; Scott and Paul of Ayr on Tuesday. On Wednesday evening, Fran and children briefly visited with Simon and Jan Logtenberg and family, Jerry and Kay Logtenberg and Derk and Tinie Logtenberg. Edna Stanley and Kay Collins were Fri- day visitors with Marjorie Thompson. Gladys Arnold, Anne McCosh and Eilene Carter visited on Thursday with Margaret Wylds and Pearl Wylds on the 6th of Huron. Don and Marilyn Reid holidayed recently in the Muskokas. Don and Tiny Robertson visited Cliff and Nell Johnston in Wingham on Saturday. Several from here attended the Sunday brunch in the Ripley Legion Hall on Sunday. Susan Roberts and Garratt visited with Jack and Janet Farrell this weekend, also Rob Farrell and friend Carolyn of Mount Forest. The Purple Grove Bible Study group met last week at Marion Gamble's. Get well wishes to Isabel Stanley who is a patient in Kincardine Hospital. Brenda Bridge visited last week with her grandfather, Henry Pope Sr. Katherine Collins and John and Marlene Collins, Dawn, Katy and Jonathan hosted a Patterson picnic at the farm on Saturday. Attending were Mrs. Mildred Patterson, Keith and Sheila Hubbard, Janine and Melanie of Agincourt, Paul and Gayle Ben- son, Sean and Ian and Rick and Brenda Berry of Toronto, Dave and Margie Lochhead, Shanna, Rachel and Devin of Waterloo, Gordon and Ruthe Patterson, David and Bill, Ed and Sandra McGillvray, Kristy, Kelly and Matthew. Currie Colwell of South Kinloss visited Sunday with Don and Anne McCosh. Isabel Brooks, Helen McCreath, Jean Col - ling, Donalda MacDonald, Anna MacTavish and Rod MacDonald travelled to Ottawa to attend their aunt's 90th birthday, Isabel MacDonald. The. Armstrong families and John and Linda Armstrong of Streetsville were Sun- day dinner guests of Aurel and Marj Armstrong. Last Saturday Don and Marilyn Reid at- tended the 50th Anniversary of Ernest and Isabel Scott in Lucknow. On Friday Jim and Fran Farrell attended the Western Ontario Championship Show held in Stratford, and on Saturday evening attended the Bruce County Dairy Princess/Holstein dance. Happy birthday to Jenny Farrell who turned six on the 15th. Audrey Traher visited with Edna Stanley on the weekend. Many from here attended the Lucknow Fall Fair on the weekend. The Purple Grove Orchestra entertaiped there on Friday evening.