The Village Squire, 1981-08, Page 324,
RI PLEY
(cont. from page 7)
About 100 of RDS's students are at the secondary level, but
their numbers vary because the school is on the semester
system and about 25 per cent graduate in January. Turville
thinks many of them are staying in the area because of the
BNPD. As well, he says, even though the school is solely
academic, fewer grads are going on to university, opting instead
for community colleges or apprenticeship programs in the
workplace. That workplace includes the farm. "We have an
amazing number of grads in the Ripley area who are farmers or
who are working in a farm -related business."
Turvill says he know of no current move to close RDS but he
suspects there would be a struggle if one was initiated. The
school, be it RDS or RDHS, has a sparkling record, academically
and athletically. Bruce County's director of education, Jack
Bowers, is a Ripley grad. And at least two county schools have
been named after Ripley grads. The black and gold Tigers,
though small in numbers, take a back seat to nobody on the
track, field or court.
Seventeen -year-old Nancy MacDonald has just finished her
year as president of the RDS students council. Looking ahead to
grade 13, she says the BNPD is definitely on the minds of some
of her schoolmates. "A lot of guys my age want to go work at the
point and go no further than grade 12. They're attracted by the
money. The point has changed things but these guys likely would
be quitting after grade 12 and apprenticing somewhere else
anyway."
Until then, however, they'll do the things high school students
do in Ripley, and that means slow pitch, fastball and the beach in
the summer and Friday night hockey games in the winter. It also
The 7th Annual Van Egmond Foundation
iderf4
September
26th and 27th
Admission to Ciderfest Adults: $2.00
Students: S1 .00,
Preschool free
Saturday
Bavarian Beer Tent
Labatt's Blue Hot Air Balloon
(free rides).
• Van Egmond House Tours.
Sunday
• Heritage Displays: quilts, dolls, etc.
• Heritage Demonstrations: candle making, sausage
stuffing, cider and apple butter making.
• Van Egmond House Tours
• Flea Market
• Horse and Wagon rides.
1 mile south of Seaforth
means four school dances each year and the Kincardine drive-in
theatre, not too many miles up the road.
Changing times have not bypassed the youth of Ripley. As
Nancy MacDonald says, "Kids are growing up faster these days
and they don't have time for school spirit. Some of the things 1
considered fun in grade nine they'd consider dull and boring."
Still, this girl is grateful for Ripley and in many ways she's not
thrilled about having to leave in a year or so to go to university.
"I could see myself in London (where she goes now when she
shops for clothes) but not Toronto," she says. "In the city it's so
impersonal. Here everyone's kind of close and if anyone gets into
trouble there are always people ready to help.
"I think growing up here 1 know more people than if I had
grown up in the city. I've had more space and I'd rather have
green grass and trees and space. If you walk down the street
here somebody waves and says, "hi". Somebody always notices
you. Will there always be a Ripley? I think so. I hope so."
The Scots and Anglos remain in and around Ripley, joined by
some Dutch and German. Conveniences such as the Zehr's store
in Kincardine have eliminated the need for much of their pioneer
ingenuity. Technology in general has done that. But one gets the
feeling the spirit is alive and well, thought it's not drawn upon
quite as often in these times.
Ab Wylds will tell you how tough Ripley's founders were.
George McLean and Bill Turvill will tell you how tough their
descendants can be today. And if its future lies with the likes of
Nancy MacDonald, Ripley will be on solid ground tomorrow.
And that's good news for all of small town Ontario. E
Looking for something a little
different? Come to
The Blyth Saga
We have
"Dancin" Men &
Horses by Paul Simpson
-Historian & Toymaker
visiting Thurs. Aug. 6
afternoon and evening
Family Pastime
Cooperative Games
Beautiful
Hand -Painted Plates &
Jewellery
1st Prize Winning
Rag Dolls
Hallmark & Norman
Rockwell Cards
Custom made Silk
Flower Arrangements
1928 Jewellery
Hand -Made
Guilts
Many Shower & Wedding Gift Ideas
Specializing in Uniqueness
Summer Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 - 8:30
Sun. 1-6
519-523-4331
"across from the Theatre"
VILLAGE SQUIRE/AUGUST 1981 PG. 31